WINNIPEG, MB – The Lincoln Saltdogs got home runs from Trever Adams and Brandon Jacobs and endured a rain delay to trounce the Winnipeg Goldeyes 11-1.
The 11 run output was a new season high for the Saltdogs who notched their sixth straight win. Lincoln scored five runs before an hour and 43 minute rain delay paused action at Shaw Park. The Saltdogs’ bats remained hot through the delay and poured on six more runs after the stoppage to get to the final total.
Matt Portland earned the win for the Saltdogs after taking over after the rain delay. The rookie went four innings and gave up three hits while recoding six strikeouts. Carlos Pimentel was solid in his start. He lasted four innings and allowed one unearned run on four hits and five strikeouts. Dimitri Kourtis pitched a scoreless ninth inning for the Saltdogs.
But it was the bats that were the story on Friday night. Lincoln got on the board first after getting two walks and a hit by pitch before a ground ball scored the first run of the game in the second inning.
Winnipeg struck right back to even it up. Andrew Sohn managed a one out single and moved to third after second baseman Cesar Valera made a throwing error on a Wes Darvill grounder. Mason Katz notched the RBI with a ground ball to the right side.
Then the big innings started. Valera singled and Christian Ibarra stepped in with two outs in the top of the third. The infielder singled to score Valera. Then, Tommy Mendonca got a base hit to keep the inning going for Adams. The Lincoln Southeast alumnus launched his first home run of the season over the left field fence to give the Saltdogs a 5-1 lead.
Next, the weather shifted and a 90 degree evening turned into a rain delay. The first postponement of the Saltdogs’ season lasted one hour and 43 minutes.
Winnipeg sent starter Zack Dodson back out after the delay and the Saltdogs continued their offensive onslaught. Curt Smith walked and Mendonca tripled to knock him in. It was the first triple of the season for a Saltdogs player. Mendonca then scored on a wild pitch to make it 7-1.
The runs continued in the sixth. Ivan Marin led off with a walk before Valera tripled him home. A Smith ground ball plated Valera.
The final runs of the game came in the eighth inning. Marin started the frame with a single to bring up Brandon Jacobs. The outfielder bombed a two-run home run to left field for his fourth home run of the season. The blast made the score 11-1.
The Saltdogs aim to win their seventh straight game tomorrow night against the Goldeyes with first pitch at 6:05 PM. Coverage begins at 5:35 PM on ESPN 1480 and saltdogs.com.
The Saltdogs are next at home on Tuesday, June 6th against the Sioux Falls Canaries. 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.