LINCOLN — The Saltdogs (41-36) overcame an early seven-run deficit to come back and topple the Sioux Falls Canaries (31-45) 9-8 in front of 3,557 fans at Haymarket Park Wednesday night.
After Mike Burns (5-4) allowed a three-run homer and a grand slam in the top of the first, he locked in to retire 19 of the final 21 batters he faced to earn the victory. Burns finished pitching seven innings, allowing three earned on seven hits while striking out seven and walking one.
Brian Joynt hit a three-run, opposite-field homer in the bottom of the first, to make the score 7-4.
Lincoln chipped away at the deficit with runs in the third and fourth, then sprung for three in the last of the seventh, taking the lead on a Matt Daly wild pitch.
Jordan Whatcott (0-5) allowed three runs – one earned in relief to take the loss. R.J. Rodriguez worked a perfect ninth to book his 25th save, establishing a new Saltdogs single-season record.
The clubs meet Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. as the Saltdogs go for the sweep. Radio coverage begins at 6:35 p.m. on KFOR 1240.