Tough Start Too Much for Saltdogs to Overcome

(Photo courtesy of Winnipeg Goldeyes)

Winnipeg, Manitoba- Friday night, the Lincoln Saltdogs continued their season-long nine game road trip with a visit to Blue Cross Park.  Game one of the three-game weekend series went to the home team as the Winnipeg Goldeyes, playing in their alternate identity Friday evening as the Manitoba Mosquitoes, defeated the Saltdogs, 11-4.

Manitoba (33-31) scored eleven runs, off six hits, committed no errors and stranded six base runners.  Lincoln (29-37) plated four runs, with ten hits, had three errors, and left twelve runners on base.  Friday night’s game was played in two hours and fifty-two minutes, in front of 5,390 fans.

The scoring started in the bottom of the first inning.  Facing Lincoln starter Alex Johnson, Manitoba’s Ray-Patrick Didder led off with a walk.  Two batters later, Adam Hall did the same.  Then, Noah Marcelo walked, to load the bases.  The next batter, Keshawn Lynch, singled, driving in two runs.  Then, Raphael Pelletier doubled, scoring two more.  After Max Murphy hit a fly ball down the right field line that was dropped by Cary Arbolida, Kevin Garcia hit a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Pelletier, to make it a 5-0 Mosquitoes lead.

In the bottom of the second, the Mosquitoes added two more runs.  Ray-Patrick Didder led off the inning by getting hit with a pitch.  After a Ramon Bramasco groundout to second advanced Didder to second base, Adam Hall singled, putting runners on the corners.  Manitoba executed a double steal, scoring Didder.  Hall stole third.  Then, Noah Marcelo reached on an error by Jase Woita, at first, which scored Hall, to make it 7-0.

Manitoba sent nine more batters to the plate in the bottom of the third.  Kevin Garcia led off with a walk.  Then, Roby Enriquez doubled.  The next batter, Ray-Patrick Didder, doubled, driving home both runners.  Lincoln went to the bullpen and brought Cam Dayton in to pitch.  Two batters later, Adam Hall reached on an error by Nick Shumpert at shortstop.  Then, Noah Marcelo doubled, scoring two, to make it an 11-0 Mosquitoes advantage.

Lincoln’s lone productive inning came in the top of the fifth.  Facing Manitoba starter Ryo Kohigashi, Cam Phelts drew a walk.  Two batters later, Jairo Pomares singled.  Then, Cary Arbolida was hit by a pitch, to load the bases.  The next batter, Paul Myro IV, hit a bouncing ball up the middle, to center field, which scored Phelts and Pomares.  Then, Calyn Halvorson hit a double, bringing in Arbolida and Myro IV, to make it 11-4.  However, neither team would score again, as the Mosquitoes claimed the opening game of the series.

Mosquitoes’ starter Ryo Kohigashi pitched 4.2 innings, giving up four runs, off seven hits, struck out nine and walked three.  Arji Fransen (1-2) earned the win, pitching 1.1 innings, yielding one hit and struck out one.  Willian Suarez worked 2.0 innings, giving up one hit and struck out four.  Sage Ferguson pitched 1.0 inning and surrendered one hit.

Saltdogs starter Alex Johnson (0-1) took the loss, pitching 2.0 innings, giving up ten runs, eight earned, off five hits and walked five.  Cam Dayton pitched 6.0 innings of relief, giving up one unearned run, off one hit, struck out four, walked two, and retired the last fourteen batters he faced.

Offensively for Manitoba, Ray-Patrick Didder was 1-for-3 with two RBIs.  Noah Marcelo was 1-for-4 and drove in three runs.  Keshawn Lynch was 1-for-4 and drove in two runs.  Raphael Pelletier went 1-for-3 with two RBIs.  Kevin Garcia was 0-for-2 and drove in one run.

For Lincoln, Cam Phelts was 2-for-4.  Jairo Pomares went 2-for-5.  Paul Myro IV was 2-for-3 and drove in two runs.  Calyn Halvorson was 3-for-5 with two RBIs.

Game two of the three-game series is Saturday.  RHP Cael Chatham (3-1, 6.92 ERA) will pitch for Lincoln.  Returning to their original identity, the Winnipeg Goldeyes will throw RHP James Colyer (1-2, 5.19 ERA).  First pitch will be 6:00 p.m.  The game will be broadcast on KFOR 101.5 FM/1240 AM and on: www.aabaseball.tv.

The next Saltdogs home game will be Friday, August 7^th, when Lincoln hosts the Winnipeg Goldeyes at Haymarket Park, beginning at 7:05 p.m.  That game will be FREE T-SHIRT FRIDAY! sponsored by Abante Marketing.  It is also The Arc of Lincoln Disability Empowerment Night.  In addition, there will be Post-Game Fireworks sponsored by Sandhills Global.  Plus, part of the Saltdogs 25th Season Celebration, there will be 25% off in the Souvenir Store.  For tickets, merchandise and more information, visit: www.saltdogs.com.