CLEBURNE, TX – The Lincoln Saltdogs recorded 13 hits and got a quality start from Derek Gordon to beat the Cleburne Railroaders 7-1 on Saturday night.
The runs and hits totals from the offensive outburst were the highest achieved by the Saltdogs since June 15th when they beat Fargo-Moorhead 11-9 on the strength of 15 hits.
In addition to the offense, the Saltdogs’ pitching staff pitched a solid game. Derek Gordon earned the win by going seven innings and allowing just one run on six hits. He struck out two batters in his fourth quality start. J.R. Bunda and Dimitri Kourtis combined to throw two scoreless innings to finish the game.
After getting base runners on in each of the first four innings, the Saltdogs broke through in the top of the fifth. Dashenko Ricardo reached on a walk to start the frame and Matty Johnson followed with a bunt single. After a fly out, Ivan Marin bunted down the third base line for another base hit to load the bases. Then, Cesar Valera hustled down the line to beat out a throw and prevent a double play. His fielder’s choice ground ball scored Ricardo for the first run of the game. Next, Curt Smith hit a double to right-center field that scored two more runs to make it 3-0.
Cleburne scored their run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Yunesky Sanchez turned on the first pitch of his at bat and deposited a homer past the left field fence to make it a two-run game.
The Saltdogs offense leapt back in to action in the top of the seventh. Marin ripped a double down the left field line to start the inning. Smith and Brandon Jacobs walked in consecutive at bats following a fly out to load the bases. Then, Nathaniel Maggio singled to center field to knock in a run. Next, Joe Robbins hit a triple down the right field line to clear the bases and make it a 7-1 game. It was his first professional hit.
Every hitter in the Saltdogs lineup notched a hit except for Randolph Oduber who was ejected in the fourth inning. Marin tied his season high with four hits while Maggio notched three.
The Saltdogs took the lead in the series 2-1 with the victory. Friday and Saturday’s wins were the Saltdogs first back to back wins since June 22nd and 23rd when Lincoln beat Texas two straight times.
The Saltdogs try to win the series on Sunday night against the Railroaders. First pitch is at 6:05 PM with coverage beginning at 5:35 PM on ESPN 1480 and saltdogs.com.
The Saltdogs return to Lincoln to face the Salina Stockade on Tuesday, July 11th. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased by calling (402) 474-2255 or visiting Saltdogs.com. For the latest information on the Saltdogs follow the team on Facebook and Twitter/Instagram @saltdogsball.