SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Tyler Moore went 3-for-4 with a solo homer in his Saltdogs debut, but the ‘Dogs fell behind by six and couldn’t overcome it in a 6-2, season-opening loss to the Sioux City Explorers at Mercy Field at Lewis and Clark Park on Thursday night.
Moore hit a solo homer in the 8th inning after rookie Noah Cummings drove in his first professional run with a single in the 6th, but the Explorers scored six runs across innings 3, 4 and 5 – culminating in Dean Green’s three-run homer in the 5th – to win the second straight season opener between the two clubs.
Shairon Martis went five innings and gave up six runs in his first season-opening loss, while Austin Pettibone worked around a bases-loaded jam in the 6th inning and Jake Hohensee went six-up, six-down in the 7th and 8th.
The loss was Lincoln’s ninth in the last 10 season openers. For nine of those 10, the ‘Dogs have been on the road.
Lincoln had 11 hits in the game and all nine starters except for Ivan Marin reached base. Christian Ibarra had a pair of singles with a walk, and Cody Regis added two hits of his own.
Sioux City starter Jason Garcia earned the win after allowing just one run over 5.2 innings, while Matt Pobereyko notched the save after the ‘Dogs put the tying run on deck in the 9th.
All six Sioux City runs scored with two outs, and Daytona Bryden opened the scoring with an RBI single in the 3rd – his first pro hit and pro RBI.
The ‘Dogs continue their season-opening seven-game road trip with the second of four games against the Explorers on Friday night. First pitch from Mercy Field is scheduled for 7:12 p.m. and can be heard live on ESPN Lincoln 101.5 FM/1480 AM.
The Saltdogs open the 2019 home schedule at Haymarket Park on Thursday, May 23rd against the Cleburne Railroaders. For more information on the ‘Dogs, follow the team on Facebook and on Twitter/Instagram @saltdogsball.