SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Luis Alen smacked a grand slam to spark Lincoln’s (52-47) largest come back of the season in an 8-7 victory over the St. Paul Saints (60-39) in front of 8,497 fans at CHS Field Sunday evening.
The Saltdogs found out they had been eliminated from playoff contention due to a Sioux City victory before the game, and the Saints jumped out to a 6-0 lead after two innings.
Alen’s third-inning “salami,” pulled Lincoln to within two.
The ‘Dogs tied the game in the fifth, and plated two more in the sixth to take an 8-6 lead.
Ryan O’Sullivan (5-5) allowed four earned in five innings to get the win. Evan Reed tossed a scoreless ninth to notch his 22nd save.
Ryan Wiggins threw out league stolen base king Alonzo Harris trying to steal second to end the game.
Alen finished 3-for-4 with five RBI. Jeff McKenzie and J.R. Bunda combined for 2 2/3 scoreless innings of middle relief.
Rene Leveret went 1-for-3 with a run and RBI in his first game back from the D.L. (August 17).
The six-run come back was the largest of the season for the ‘Dogs.
Sioux City’s 10-4 victory over Texas Sunday afternoon clinched the Explorers’ second-straight Central title.
Lincoln plays the season finale Monday morning at 11:05 a.m. Radio coverage begins at 10:35 a.m. on KFOR FM 103.3/1240 AM.