Saltdogs Walk-Off Winnipeg in Extra Innings

Lincoln, Nebraska– Rolando Espinosa delivered an RBI single in the bottom of the eleventh inning, scoring Danny Bautista, Jr., and the Lincoln Saltdogs defeated the Winnipeg Goldeyes, 3-2, in eleven innings, Saturday night at Haymarket Park.  Lincoln recorded its first victory at home in 2025 and evened the three-game weekend series with the Goldeyes.

Espinosa sparked the Saltdogs in the bottom of the second inning with a solo home run off Winnipeg starter Ryder Yakel, to put Lincoln ahead 1-0.

The scored remained the same going into the bottom of the ninth.  Lincoln could not close out the win in the bottom of the ninth, however, as the Goldeyes tied the game.  With one out, Winnipeg’s Keshawn Lynch was hit by a Dutch Landis pitch, to give the Goldeyes a baserunner.  Lynch stole second and advanced to third on an errant throw by Lincoln catcher, Matt Phipps.  The next batter, Andy Armstrong, hit a high, chopper on the right-side of the infield, which allowed Lynch to score, and tied the game at 1-1, which forced extra innings.

Neither team scored in the tenth, however, Winnipeg took the lead in the top of the eleventh.  The Goldeyes’ placed runner, Evan Alexander, advanced to third on a passed ball.  Two batters later, Max Murphy grounded to Rolando Espinosa at shortstop, among the drawn-in infielders.  The throw home was low, and Alexander scored on the fielder’s choice, putting Winnipeg ahead, 2-1.

In the bottom half of the eleventh, with placed runner, Parker Stroh at second, facing Winnipeg closer, Tasker Strobel, Danny Bautista, Jr. hit a smash to third base, and reached on an infield single, to put runners at first and second.  The next batter, Brody Fahr, laid down a sacrifice bunt, which advanced the runners to second and third.  Winnipeg elected to intentionally walk Jack Dragum, to load the bases.  The next batter, Yusniel Diaz, hit a ground ball to third, which was bobbled, allowing Stroh to score, and tied the game at 2-2.  The next batter, Rolando Espinosa hit an 0-2 pitch from Strobel over the drawn-in infield, scoring Bautista Jr, to make the final score 3-2.

Lincoln (2-6) scored three runs off seven hits and had one error.  Winnipeg (3-6) plated two runs off four hits and committed one error.

Saltdogs’ starter Johnny Ray pitched 5.0 innings, giving up no runs off two hits, struck out four and walked five.  Franny Cobos pitched one inning and struck out two.  Connor Langrell pitched 1.0 inning and walked one.  Jake Diekman pitched 1.0 inning, gave up one hit and struck out one.  Dutch Landis pitched 1.0 inning, giving up one run off one hit.  Jacob Roberts (1-1) earned the win, pitching 2.0 innings, giving up one unearned run and stuck out two.

For Winnipeg, starter Ryder Yakel pitched 3.0 innings, giving up one run off two hits, struck out three, and gave up the home run to Espinosa.  Derrick Cherry pitched 3.0 innings, yielding one hit, struck out two and walked one.  Will Sierra pitched 1.0 inning and gave up one hit.  Tasker Strobel (0-2) pitched 3.1 innings, giving up two earned runs off four hits, struck out five and walked one.

Offensively for Lincoln, Danny Bautista Jr. was 3-for-5 with a run scored.  Rolando Espinosa was 2-for-5 with a solo home run and two RBI’s.

For the Goldeyes, Max Murphy was 0-for-4 with an RBI.  Andy Armstrong was 1-for-4 and drove in one run.

The teams will play the rubber game of the series Sunday afternoon at Haymarket Park.  First pitch is 1:05 p.m.  The game will be broadcast on KFOR 101.5 FM/1240 AM, and online at:  www.kfornow.com.  Live video will stream at:  www.aabaseball.tv.

Sunday’s game is Signature & Family Sunday, sponsored by Wild Dutchman.  Family members coming to the game will receive a ticket, hotdog, chips and a soft drink for as low as only $17 per family member.  This offer is not available on-line and only available by stopping by the Haymarket Park Box office, so make sure to stop by the box office to bring the family out to Sundays with the Saltdogs.  As an added bonus, Sundays are also Signature Sundays brought to you by Wild Dutchman Sunflower Seeds, the official sunflower seeds sold at Haymarket Park.  Prior to every Sunday home game, fans will have the opportunity to get autographs from select Saltdogs players for 30 minutes once the gates open.