SIOUX CITY, IA – The Sioux City Explorer’s scored four runs in the 2nd inning and held off the Lincoln Saltdogs the rest of the way to win 7-2 on Tuesday afternoon.
Hobbs Johnson earned the win for the X’s (3-2) and Seth Webster took the loss for the Saltdogs (2-3) as Sioux City took sole possession of the Central Division lead.
The Saltdogs looked like they could be mounting a comeback in the 7th inning after Randolph Oduber launched an opposite field home run. The slugger’s first homer of the season scored Trever Adams who was aboard after getting hit by a pitch. The blast came off of former Saltdogs reliever Brad Orosey. But the rally fizzled out as the Saltdogs managed just one hit and a walk over the next 2.2 innings.
John Nogowski recorded the first of his three hits with one out in the 2nd inning. Then his teammates followed suit, nothing five hits in the next six at bats to score four runs. Webster was able to recover and pitch four scoreless frames after the big 7th inning.
Sioux City put the game out of reach in the 8th as they tallied four hits off of Fabio Martinez and Matt Portland. Nick Flair had a two-RBI double that concluded the scoring.
Both teams battled poor weather throughout the daytime contest. The temperature hovered in the low 50s throughout the game with an occasional drizzle.
Tommy Mendonca made his debut for the Saltdogs, going 1-1 in a pinch hitting role. The former Sioux City infielder was on the Disabled List to start the season.
This was the second game in which the Saltdogs managed just four hits, the other being Saturday’s win at Kansas City. The offense tries to get on track tomorrow night and avoid a series sweep.
First pitch tomorrow night is at 7:05 PM and coverage begins thirty minutes prior on ESPN 1480 and saltdogs.com.
The home opener for the Lincoln Saltdogs is Thursday, May 25th at Haymarket Park against the Cleburne Railroaders. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased by calling (402) 474-2255 or by visiting Saltdogs.com. For the latest information on the Saltdogs follow the team on Facebook and Twitter/Instagram @saltdogsball.