Saltdogs Take Series With Three-Run Fifth

LINCOLN, NE- The Wichita Wingnuts lost 4-2 to the Lincoln Saltdogs on Thursday night at Haymarket Park.

Steve Pearson flared a single into short left field with two outs in the top of the third to score Ryan Patterson from second base and give the Wingnuts a 1-0 lead.

Phil Hawke doubled home three runs in the bottom of the fifth to put Lincoln in front 3-1.  Singles from Gavin Dickey, Tycen PoVey, and Albenis Machado loaded the bases with one out.  Brandon Mathes almost escaped the jam, getting Chris Brown to hit into a force play at home plate before Hawke found the right-center field gap with his double.

Rafael Alvarez and Argelis Nunez hit back-to-back doubles off of Doug Hurn in the bottom of the sixth to extend their lead to 4-1.

Pearson drove in his second run of the night with a long RBI single down the right field line in the eighth to cut Lincoln's lead to 4-2.

Mathes pitched five innings allowing three earned runs on seven hits.  Mathes struck out four and walked one while taking the loss.  Lincoln starter Jim Paduch allowed one run in six innings while striking out six in the win and is now 6-0 lifetime against the Wingnuts including the postseason.  Chris Thompson earned the save with a scoreless ninth.  Wichita left nine runners on base.

The Wingnuts return home for a three-game series versus Sioux City on Friday night at 7:05 p.m.  Nick Singleton makes his first start against his former team.  For tickets, call the Wingnuts' office at (316) 264-NUTS.

-Wingnuts-