Saltdogs win home opener
The Lincoln Saltdogs defended their home turf like an angry bulldog in the home opener Friday night at Haymarket Park.
The new lineup, which includes just three position players and five pitchers from last year’s team, rolled to an 8-2 victory over Pensacola, Fla., before 4,003 fans.
“I thought the last time we faced them (in Pensacola two weeks ago) we weren’t challenging guys and I was actually pitching in fear and not in command,” said Saltdogs starter Ryan Trytten, who pitched six scoreless innings to earn the win. “It’s coming together for all of us right now. We’re hitting aggressively and we’re going to be better on the mound.”
The Saltdogs (3-5) have won two in a row after struggling in the season-opening 3,000-mile road trip from Lincoln to Florida, to Fort Worth, Texas, and back home.
Pitching has been a sore spot as Lincoln pitchers have were giving up five walks and almost seven runs a game before Friday’s victory.
Lincoln first baseman Dustin Yount, the son of Hall of Famer Robin Yount, hit a solo home run in the first inning. Third baseman Ben Tinius and shortstop Anthony Contreras each drove in runs in the second and right fielder Corey Harrington, left fielder Luis Perez, designated hitter Felix Jose and catcher Shawn McGill all singled in the four-run fifth that put the Saltdogs ahead 8-0.
“Our offense and our defense have been excellent all along, and now with some pitching, we’ll be all right,” said Lincoln manager Tim Johnson. “At the plate, we’re really aggressive and that’s good. Yount looks as comfortable here as he was when he played for St. Joe (last year) and came to this park.
“McGill and Perez got a couple nice hits, too.”
The big change was on the mound, where Trytten was in charge from the start. The veteran right-hander has spent part of four seasons in Lincoln, including six games last season.
“I love playing here and I love this town,” Trytten said. “These fans are great and the park is perfect. I just got with it and threw my best pitches — well, there’s a lot of work left to do — but got a lot of fast balls over for strikes and just decided to go after their hitters.”
Trytten threw 85 pitches, 74 of which were fastballs.
“He was working both sides of the plate and staying ahead of the hitters tonight,” McGill said. “We knew the pitching was going to get better. This is a good start to that.”
Lincoln plays host to the Pelicans today at 7:05 p.m. and Sunday at 2:05 p.m. Zachary Cline will start Saturday’s game and former Husker R.D. Spiehs will start Sunday’s game.
Reach Ken Hambleton at 473-7313 or khambleton@journalstar.com.
The new lineup, which includes just three position players and five pitchers from last year’s team, rolled to an 8-2 victory over Pensacola, Fla., before 4,003 fans.
“I thought the last time we faced them (in Pensacola two weeks ago) we weren’t challenging guys and I was actually pitching in fear and not in command,” said Saltdogs starter Ryan Trytten, who pitched six scoreless innings to earn the win. “It’s coming together for all of us right now. We’re hitting aggressively and we’re going to be better on the mound.”
The Saltdogs (3-5) have won two in a row after struggling in the season-opening 3,000-mile road trip from Lincoln to Florida, to Fort Worth, Texas, and back home.
Pitching has been a sore spot as Lincoln pitchers have were giving up five walks and almost seven runs a game before Friday’s victory.
Lincoln first baseman Dustin Yount, the son of Hall of Famer Robin Yount, hit a solo home run in the first inning. Third baseman Ben Tinius and shortstop Anthony Contreras each drove in runs in the second and right fielder Corey Harrington, left fielder Luis Perez, designated hitter Felix Jose and catcher Shawn McGill all singled in the four-run fifth that put the Saltdogs ahead 8-0.
“Our offense and our defense have been excellent all along, and now with some pitching, we’ll be all right,” said Lincoln manager Tim Johnson. “At the plate, we’re really aggressive and that’s good. Yount looks as comfortable here as he was when he played for St. Joe (last year) and came to this park.
“McGill and Perez got a couple nice hits, too.”
The big change was on the mound, where Trytten was in charge from the start. The veteran right-hander has spent part of four seasons in Lincoln, including six games last season.
“I love playing here and I love this town,” Trytten said. “These fans are great and the park is perfect. I just got with it and threw my best pitches — well, there’s a lot of work left to do — but got a lot of fast balls over for strikes and just decided to go after their hitters.”
Trytten threw 85 pitches, 74 of which were fastballs.
“He was working both sides of the plate and staying ahead of the hitters tonight,” McGill said. “We knew the pitching was going to get better. This is a good start to that.”
Lincoln plays host to the Pelicans today at 7:05 p.m. and Sunday at 2:05 p.m. Zachary Cline will start Saturday’s game and former Husker R.D. Spiehs will start Sunday’s game.
Reach Ken Hambleton at 473-7313 or khambleton@journalstar.com.
Copyright © 2002-2008 Lincoln Journal Star. All rights reserved.