Photo Credit: Tyler Hurst
LINCOLN, NE – The Lincoln Saltdogs (20-22) defeated the Winnipeg Goldeyes 13-2 at Haymarket Park Thursday evening.
With the win, the Saltdogs not only avoided a four-game sweep at the hands of the Goldeyes (18-25), but also halted Winnipeg’s season-high five-game winning streak.
Lincoln opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning when first baseman Yanio Perez blooped a single to centre field to bring home right fielder Connor Panas. The 1-0 lead was the Saltdogs’ first of the series.
In the bottom of the third inning, centre fielder Nick Anderson lined a single to centre field that scored Panas to make it 2-0 Lincoln.
The Saltogs erupted for six runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. First, third baseman Will Kengor walked with the bases loaded, which forced in Panas. Then Perez hit a broken bat single to right-centre field to drive in shortstop Drew Devine and Anderson to and put Lincoln up 5-0. Second baseman Nate Samson made it 7-0 Saltdogs with a single to centre field that scored Kengor and Perez, before catcher Marshall Awtry made it 8-0 with another broken bat single to left-centre field that cashed in left fielder Zane Zurbrugg.
Lincoln scored five more times in the sixth. Bases-loaded walks to Zurbrugg and Samson forced in Kengor and Perez respectively. Then wild pitches allowed designated hitter Luke Roskam and Zurbrugg to score before finally Panas singled down the right field line to plate Samson and give the Saltdogs a 13-0 cushion.
Winnipeg finally got on the board in the top of the seventh inning when second baseman Brynn Martinez drew a bases-loaded walk that drove in right fielder Najee Gaskins. First baseman Chris Burgess then came in on a double play ball off the bat of centre fielder Tra Holmes to make the score Saltdogs 13 Goldeyes 2.
Starter John Bezdicek (3-2) earned the win for Lincoln. He allowed two unearned runs on five hits over six innings of work. He struck out six and walked a pair.
Despite the lopsided score, Walter Borkovich picked up his first save of the season by virtue of having worked the final three innings. He surrendered just one hit and struck out five.
Landen Bourassa (3-3) was charged with the loss. He gave up six runs – all earned – on seven hits in just four innings. He struck out four and walked four.
Winnipeg now travels to Kansas City, Kansas, where they will begin a three-game series against the Monarchs at Legends Field Friday at 7:00 p.m. Right-hander Joey Matulovich (1-4, 6.63 ERA) is expected to start for the Goldeyes, with Kansas City sending righty Cody Deason (4-1, 4.41 ERA) to the mound. All the action can be heard on CJNU 93.7 FM and cjnu.ca with Doug Greenwald hosting the pre-game show starting at 6:30 p.m.
The Goldeyes return home Friday, July 7 when the Milwaukee Milkmen visit Shaw Park.
For information on season tickets, group outings, Skysuite rentals, patio bookings, and 10-game mini packs, visit the team’s official website Goldeyes.com.
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Blue Cross Park is located on the original lands of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Ojibwe-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and on the National Homeland of the Red River Métis. We respect the Treaties that were made on these territories, we acknowledge the harms and mistakes of the past, and we dedicate ourselves to move forward in partnership with Indigenous communities in a spirit of reconciliation and collaboration.
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