SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — The Saltdogs (13-11) evened the score in the top of the ninth and tallied two in the 10th to beat the Sioux Falls Canaries (11-14) 3-1 in 10 innings in front of a overflow crowd of 4,656 fans at The Birdcage Monday night.
With Lincoln trailing 1-0 going into the ninth, Stephen Douglas started the rally by doubling to left field. Following a David Espinosa single and a fielder's choice, Douglas scored the equalizer on a wild pitch.
The Saltdogs added two more in the 10th, capped off by a Douglas RBI double. Douglas finished the night 2-for-5 with doubles, a run and a RBI.
P.J. Zocchi (1-0) worked a scoreless ninth inning to pick up the win. R.J. Rodriguez pitched a perfect 10th to notch his league leading ninth save of the season.
Moises Melendez started the game for the Saltdogs, going seven strong innings but taking the no decision. Sioux Falls starter Ben Moore went nine, allowing just the one run.
The Canaries opened the game's scoring with a solo home run by Steve Domecus in the seventh.
Sean O'Connell went 3-for-4 and picked a runner off second base from behind the dish. Espinosa also turned in a multi-hit performance.
The clubs meet Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. for game two of the three-game series. Travis Parker (0-1, 5.14) will make the spot start against Austin Brough (0-1, 5.65). Radio coverage begins at 6:35 p.m. on KFOR 1240.