SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — The Sioux Falls Canaries (19-24) scored six runs in the final two innings to come back and shock the Saltdogs (15-28) 12-11 in front of 2,190 fans at The Birdcage Monday night.
After Curt Smith swatted a two-out grand slam in the top of the eighth – capitalizing on a Canaries error – to extend the Lincoln lead to 11-6, Sioux Falls quickly scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth.
Brian Humphries singles in the tying run in the ninth. With two out, Jason Repko – who homered earlier – stroked a walk-off single to left.
Chase Johnson (2-0) pitched a hitless ninth to earn the win. Mackenzie King (1-2) allowed two runs on three hits in 2/3 of an innings to suffer the loss.
Smith finished 3-for-5 with a grand slam, double and five RBI. Matt Forgatch went 4-for-5 with a run and two RBI.
Harrison Kain and David Bergin hit back-to-back home runs to tie the game at 4-4 in the fourth.
Game two of the four-game series is Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. Radio coverage begins at 6:35 p.m. on KFOR FM 103.3/1240 AM.
The Saltdogs return home Friday, July 10 with a Fireworks Friday as they host Grand Prairie at 7:05 p.m. July 11 is a Souvenir Saturday featuring an Ameritas Red Saltdogs Jersey Giveaway and a 6:05 p.m. start time. Get your tickets now at www.saltdogs.com.
* CONTAINS TEMPORARY INACCURACIES: Payne 0-for-4 with SH; Arneson 0 IP, 4 R; Fennell IP, 0 R