Eighth inning homer sinks Dogs

LINCOLN, Neb. - Keon Barnum launched his league-leading 25th homer of the year, but the Chicago Dogs surrendered a late go-ahead homer as they fell to the Lincoln Saltdogs, 4-3 on Tuesday night.

After the Dogs took a 3-2 lead in the top of the seventh, Lincoln slugger Christian Ibarra connected for the go-ahead two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth off Casey Crosby (L, 3-1) to give the Saltdogs the win.

The Dogs outhit the Saltdogs 13-7, but could not muster enough offense as they left eleven men on base.

It was a "bullpen day," as declared by Dogs manger Butch Hobson, with Justin Goossen-Brown starting the game. The San Diego State alum fared well, allowing just two runs on four hits over four innings of work.

In the top of the second inning, Gustavo Pierre got the scoring started for the Dogs. With two on and two out, Pierre hit a single to score Mitchell Kranson from second, putting the Dogs up 1-0.

Keon Barnum then hit his second solo homer in as many games in the very next frame to put the Dogs up 2-0.

For Lincoln, an Ivan Marin sacrifice brought home Tyler Moore to get the Saltdogs within a run in the bottom of the third.

The Saltdogs then tied the game at two in the fourth, courtesy of a Cody Regis solo homer.

Luke Wilkins took over for Goossen-Brown in the bottom of the fifth and struck out the side. He followed up with another scoreless frame in the sixth to keep the game tied at two.

Back-to-back doubles by Victor Roache and Kelly Dugan put the Dogs back up 3-2 in the top of the seventh, and Rich Mascheri hurled a scoreless bottom of the frame to maintain the lead.

Crosby entered in the eighth to keep Chicago on top, but Ibarra's blast gave the lead back to Lincoln and ended his 17-appearance scoreless streak.

The Dogs wrap up their series against the Saltdogs on Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. D.J. Snelten (5-3) will get the ball against righty John Brownell (6-4) for Lincoln.