LINCOLN — The Winnipeg Goldeyes (2-1) rallied back from a 6-2, sixth-inning deficit, plating five unanswered to top the Saltdogs (1-2) 7-6 in 10 innings to take the series lead in game three of the best-of-five semifinals in front of 2,094 fans at Haymarket Park Saturday night.
Following two singles to begin the top of the sixth, Josh Mazzola slugged a three-run homer to right center to make it 6-5.
Casey Haerther tied the score with a lead-off shot in the seventh. The Saltdogs’ bullpen then shut down Winnipeg entirely, until Reggie Abercrombie led off the top of the 10th with a single.
After a sacrifice bunt and a balk, Luis Alen hit a sacrifice fly to right to give the Goldeyes a 7-6 lead.
The Saltdogs stranded four runners in scoring position between the seventh and the ninth innings.
Brian Joynt smacked a two-run homer to right with two out in the bottom of the fifth, extending Lincoln’s lead to 6-2.
Winnipeg scored the first two runs before Lincoln tallied four runs – three on a two-out error by left fielder Donnie Webb – to take a 4-2 advantage in the third.
Brendan Lafferty (1-0) worked two scoreless innings in relief to earn the win. Chris Kissock spun a perfect 10th to notch the save. Trey Barham (0-1) gave up a run in the 10th to suffer the loss.
Jake Blackwood hit a solo homer in the first inning for Winnipeg.
The Goldeyes scored six unanswered to take the opening game Wednesday night in Winnipeg after falling behind 4-0.
Game four is Sunday evening at 5:05 p.m. at Haymarket Park, with the Saltdogs looking to avoid elimination. Radio coverage begins at 4:35 p.m. on KFOR 1240. Tickets are available now at www.saltdogs.com.