Saltdogs Crushed to End First Half
By Michael Dixon, Lincoln Saltdogs
LINCOLN, Nebraska – 2B Nate Samson went 2-for-3 with a walk, but the ‘Dogs lost 9-1 to the Milwaukee Milkmen in the series finale on Sunday afternoon.
Samson had his 16th multi-hit game of the year, but the ‘Dogs lost the final two games of the series after winning the opener on Friday.
Milwaukee (35-22) opened the scoring in the 1st inning on an RBI groundout from 1B Roy Morales. The Milkmen scored 1st-inning runs in all three games of the series.
Milwaukee made it 2-0 on a leadoff homer from SS Gabriel Cancel in the 2nd and Cancel added an RBI single to make it 3-0 in the 3rd.
Lincoln (29-27) went eight-up, eight-down against RHP Gregori Vasquez before Marshall Awtry hit a solo homer in the 3rd that made it 3-1.
The Milkmen scored three more in the 5th inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, CF Reggie Pruitt Jr. hit a bases-clearing double to score three unearned runs against RHP Zach Keenan to make it 6-1.
Keenan went five innings and has now gone at least five in all nine of his starts. He allowed six runs – three earned – on 10 hits with one walk and three strikeouts.
LF Aaron Hill added a solo homer off of RHP Walter Borkovich in the 7th inning, and Pruitt Jr. scored on a wild pitch against RHP Matt Cronin in the 8th. RHP Nic Laio allowed a second homer to Cancel that made it 9-1 in the 9th inning.
DH Luke Roskam went 0-for-3 with a walk, ending his season-long 18-game hitting streak.
The ‘Dogs now enter the All-Star Break. Lincoln will not play again until Thursday night in Sioux City, where they’ll open a four-game series against the Explorers.
Lincoln has three All-Stars heading to Milwaukee for Tuesday’s game. OF Connor Panas, OF Nick Anderson and INF Drew Devine each earned a spot on the 2023 West Division All-Star team, while Panas and Anderson will compete in Monday’s Home Run Derby at Franklin Field. All of the All-Star festivities can be seen online at aabaseball.tv.
The Saltdogs are back in 2023! Single-game tickets for all games are on sale now. Reserve your seats now by calling 402-474-BALL (2255) or order on-line at Saltdogs.com.