LINCOLN, Neb—The Lincoln Saltdogs (30-44) stunned the Sioux City Explorers (48-27) with a commanding 11-2 win in the rubber match of their three-game series. Lincoln’s dominant performance handed the Explorers one of their most lopsided losses of the season.
Lincoln churned out four runs in the first and jumped out to a 5-0 first-inning lead in the rubber match of this series. Mikey Kane’s two-run single snuck past Torin Montgomery down the right-field line.
Later in the frame, with the bases loaded, Abdiel Layer fielded a grounder at third and fired to the plate for the forceout, but the throw was well wide of Kurtis Byrne, sailing to the backstop and allowing two more runs to score. The Saltdogs plated another on an RBI groundout before Peniel Otaño (1-6) finally retired the side. The Saltdogs sent all nine men to the plate in the inning.
Layer put the Explorers on the board in the top of the second as he poked a double into the gap in right-center field, plating Luis Toribio, who extended his hitting streak to five games earlier in the frame.
Lincoln added two in the fourth to take a 7-1 lead as Sioux City’s struggles in the series continued. The Saltdogs loaded the bases again with two outs in the fifth, prompting Steve Montgomery to turn to his bullpen.
The longtime skipper opted for rookie left-hander Ben DeTaeye, who bounced his first by Kurtis Byrne, allowing another run to come home. Brody Fahr chopped DeTaeye’s fourth pitch up the middle into center field for a two-run single, putting the Saltdogs in double digits for the second straight day.
Saltdogs starter Greg Loukien ended with two outs and runners on first and second in the sixth. Right-hander Dylan Beck took over and recorded the final out, as Loukinen’s ERA fell to 3.18 over 17 innings against Sioux City this season.
Lincoln finished the series, winning game three 11-2 and the series two games to one. The series loss snapped a streak of 10 straight series victories for Sioux City. The Explorers eight errors proved problematic as they were outscored 29-12 over the weekend.
The Explorers have an off day on Monday before starting a new three-game series their three-game series again the Milwaukee Milkmen. First pitch for all three games is 7:05 pm. Ticket packages for the 2025 season are on sale now, including Full and Half-Season Tickets as well as 10-, 15-, and 25-game Flex Packs. For more information, please call the Explorers front office at 712-277-WINS. Stay tuned to the Explorers’ social media channels and the club’s website, xsbaseball.com, for all our news and updates.