Phelts Breaks Record in Saltdogs Loss

(Photo courtesy of Kane County Cougars)

Geneva, Illinois- The Lincoln Saltdogs had their four-game winning streak snapped Thursday night, as the Kane County Cougars defeated Lincoln, 5-4, at Northwestern Medicine Field.  Cam Phelts stole three bases on the night, the first of which broke the Saltdogs franchise record of 41 which was held by Dustin Delucchi since 2002.  Jacob Morrow recorded a pair of hits, in the loss.

Kane County (42-33) scored five runs, off six hits, with no errors and left eight runners on base.  Lincoln (35-42) had four runs, with six hits, committed three errors and left seven runners aboard.  Thursday night’s game lasted two hours and fifty-eight minutes, plus had a hour and forty-five-minute rain delay.  The game was played in front of 3,443 fans.

The Cougars started the scoring in the bottom of the first.  Facing Lincoln starting pitcher Cael Chatham, Jairus Richards drew a one-out walk.  Two batters later, Todd Lott drew a base on balls.  Then, the Cougars ran a double steal.  Jacob Morrow’s throw to third went into left field, scoring Richards, to make it 1-0.  Then, Charles Mack singled, scoring Lott, to make it 2-0.

At the end of the first inning, rain started to fall, and the game went into an hour and forty-five-minute delay.

Lincoln got on the board in the top of the third.  Facing reliever Ernie Day, Cam Phelts reached on a one-out single.  Then, he stole second base for his record-breaking swipe.  Phelts stole third, then scored on a wild pitch, to make it 2-1.

The Saltdogs grabbed the lead in the top of the fourth.  Cary Arbolida led off the inning with a double.  Two batters later, Jake Hjelle singled, scoring Arbolida, to make the score 2-2.  A wild pitch advanced Hjelle to second.  Two batters later, Jacob Morrow singled, scoring Hjelle, to put Lincoln in front, 3-2.

In the top of the fourth, Lincoln grew its lead to two runs.  Facing reliever Jordan Martinson, Cam Phelts led off the inning with a walk, then stole second.  Nick Shumpert flew out to right, advancing Phelts to third.  Then, Jairo Pomares hit a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Phelts, to make it a 4-2 Lincoln lead.

The Cougars tied the score in the bottom of the sixth.  Facing reliever Ryan Rembisz, Josh Allen led off the inning with a walk.  Two batters later, Charles Mack singled, followed by a Nick Dalesandro base hit.  Then, Zane Spinn drew a bases-loaded walk, scoring Allen, to make it 4-3.  The next batter, Sam Dexter, hit a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Mack, to tie the score at 4-4.

Kane County recaptured the lead in the bottom of the seventh inning.  Facing reliever Jeferson Figueroa, Jairus Richards drew a one-out walk, then stole second.  Josh Allen singled, putting runners at first and third.  A wild pitch advanced Allen to second base.  Then, Todd Lott hit a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Richards, to make it 5-4, which would turn out to be the final score.

Starting pitcher for the Cougars, T.J. Sikkema, pitched 1.0 inning and struck out one.  Ernie Day pitched 2.2 innings, yielding three runs, off four hits, struck out three and walked two.  Jordan Martinson worked 2.1 innings yielding one run, struck out three and walked one.  Zach Veen (6-1) picked up the win, pitching 1.0 inning, struck out two and walked two.  Logan Nissen worked 1.0 inning, giving up one hit and walked one.  Art Warren (3) earned the save, pitching 1.0 inning, giving up one hit and walked one.

Lincoln starter Cael Chatham pitched 1.0 inning, giving up two runs, one earned, off one hit, struck out three and walked two.  Drake LaRoche made his professional baseball debut pitching 4.0 innings, yielding two hits, stuck out two and walked one.  Ryan Rembisz pitched 1.0 inning, surrendering two runs, off two hits, struck out one and walked two.  Jeferson Figueroa (0-1) took the loss, pitching 1.0 inning, giving up one run, off one hit, struck out one and walked two.  Ryan Spalliero pitched 1.0 inning and struck out two.

Offensively for Kane County, Todd Lott was 0-for-2 with an RBI.  Charles Mack went 2-for-3 and drove in one run.  Zane Spinn was 0-for-3 with an RBI.  Sam Dexter went 1-for-3 with one run batted in.

For the Saltdogs, Jairo Pomares was 0-for-2 with an RBI.  Jake Hjelle was 1-for-2 with an RBI.  Jacob Morrow went 2-for-4 and drove in one run.

The two teams will begin another three-game series, Friday night at Haymarket Park, in Lincoln.  RHP Foster Pace (3-3, 5.12 ERA) will pitch for Lincoln.  LHP Tommy Kane (0-0, 6.30 ERA) will be on the mound for Kane County.  The first pitch will be 7:05 p.m.  The game will be broadcast on KFOR 101.5 FM/1240 AM and on: www.aabaseball.tv.

The next home game for the Saltdogs will be Friday, August 14^th, when they host the Kane County Cougars at Haymarket Park, at 7:05 p.m.  That game will be FREE T-SHIRT FRIDAY! sponsored by Abante Marketing.  It is also Military Appreciation Night sponsored by Budweiser & Folds of Honor.  Plus, there will be Post-Game Fireworks.  For tickets, merchandise and more information, visit: www.saltdogs.com.