LINCOLN — The Sioux City Explorers (41-37) swept a pair of decisions from the Saltdogs (40-37) to assume the Central division lead in front of 4,399 fans at Haymarket Park Friday night.
In a game suspended from Thursday night, Sioux City finished off the Saltdogs 11-1 to take the series opener.
The Explorers held off a sixth-inning charge in the nightcap, downing the ‘Dogs 6-2 in seven innings to take the Central throne for the first time all year.
The Saltdogs have now dropped seven straight following a 20-win July, their best in franchise history.
Lincoln plated two runs in the sixth inning of the nightcap, and pinch-hitter Austin Darby narrowly missed delivering the go-ahead double when a rocket off the barrel was snared by a leaping first baseman Ino Patron.
The Explorers then plated three runs in the seventh to put the game away.
Brandon Jacobs crushed a solo home run for Lincoln’s lone run in the series opener, his sixth in the last month.
As part of Star Wars weekend, the large crowd gleefully waved their giveaway Light Sabers throughout the game and into the post-game fireworks show.
The Saltdogs look to re-take control of the division Saturday night at 6:35 p.m. with All Star Lindsey Caughel on the bump. Radio coverage begins at 6:05 p.m. on KFOR FM 103.3/1240 AM. Online streaming action begins at 6:30 on AmericanAssociationBaseball.TV.
Souvenir Saturday! Crete Carrier Star Wars Death Star Baseball Giveaway. Also, the online auction for Lincoln’s “Storm Trooper” jerseys continues. Sign up by texting ‘Salt’ to 79230. All proceeds benefit Mourning Hope Grief Center.