KANSAS CITY, Kansas – Kyle Kinman pitched five scoreless innings and Ryan Long hit a three-run home run as the Saltdogs held off the Kansas City Monarchs in Lincoln’s first game in 620 days at Legends Field on Tuesday night.
Kinman allowed just one hit with two walks and eight strikeouts in his debut, and Long’s homer in the 6th gave Lincoln a 6-0 lead after the ‘Dogs scored three times in the 1st inning.
The Monarchs scored once in the 7th and four times in the 8th – three on Gabby Guerrero’s second homer of the game – but after Forrestt Allday added an insurance run with a 9th-inning double, James Pugliese pitched a perfect inning with two strikeouts for his first save as a Saltdog.
All nine Saltdogs reached safely, while Justin Byrd had two hits, a walk and two runs scored in the leadoff spot and Allday had Lincoln’s first three-hit night of the year.
Curt Smith had a hit and an RBI in to begin his franchise-record eighth season in Lincoln, and Josh Altmann had an RBI double in the 1st and added another hit later in the 6th.
Logan Lombana had struck out the only two batters he’d faced, while Jake Hohensee gave up a solo homer to Guerrero in the 7th and Anderson allowed all four Kansas City runs – three earned – in the 8th inning.
The ‘Dogs have won their season opener for the first time since 2016, and snapped a seven-game losing streak in Kansas City.
The two teams return for Game 2 of the series Wednesday night. Lincoln will throw RHP Johnny Barbato against Kansas City RHP Nick Travieso. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. and pregame coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN Lincoln 101.5 FM/1480 AM.
The Saltdogs will open the 2021 season on May 18, and the first game at Haymarket Park is scheduled for May 25! All ticket and promotional information can be seen at saltdogs.com.