‘DOGS EXPLODE IN MIDDLE INNINGS TO TAKE OPENER
LINCOLN – After an 18-inning drought, the Saltdogs exploded for 11 runs on 13 hits to down the Amarillo Sox 11-6 at Haymarket Park Thursday night.
Lincoln overcame an early 3-0 deficit and by the end of the seventh, led Amarillo 10-5.
The ‘Dogs tied the game in the fourth on a two-run double from Rafael Alvarez and a sacrifice fly from Joe Ramos. They took the lead with four runs on five singles in the fifth inning.
The Saltdogs added three more in the seventh and another in the eighth on a Phil Hawke solo home run, his team-leading 12th of the year.
Alex Maestri (5-5) pitched five innings, allowing five runs on 10 hits to pick up the win. Jacob Wortham (0-1) went 1/3 of an inning in relief, allowing three runs to suffer the loss.
Alvarez finished with three RBI, Ramos and Vance Albitz each had multi-RBI games. Albitz also made two terrific diving stops at shortstop.
The teams meet again Friday night at 7:05 p.m. for game two of the four-game series. John James (6-3, 6.06) is set to pitch for the Saltdogs.