LINCOLN — Lincoln native Nate Wilder belted his first professional home run but the Saltdogs (36-52) defense doomed them in a 4-2 loss to the Sioux Falls Pheasants (39-49) in front of 3,305 fans at Haymarket Park Tuesday night.
Wilder’s laser beam of a drive nailed the top of the back wall in the visitor’s bullpen to put the ‘Dogs on the board in the bottom of the fifth.
The top of the fifth proved costly for Lincoln, as they allowed three unearned runs on two errors which brought the Pheasants out in front 4-0.
Rod Scurry (5-6) pitched seven innings, allowing one run on three hits while walking two and striking out a season-high nine for the win. Tony Butler (2-6) took a tough-luck loss, allowing just one earned in six innings, striking out six and walking three.
The Saltdogs added their second run in the bottom of the ninth: Bryan Pounds singled in Matt Forgatch, who had triple to open up the inning.
The clubs are back at it Wednesday morning at 11 a.m. for game three of the four-game series. Online radio coverage begins at 11 on www.kfor1240.com and www.saltdogs.com.