The Lincoln Saltdogs held an early 3-0 lead on Wednesday, but Sioux Falls stormed back to take a 12-3 win at Haymarket Park.  The Saltdogs committed four errors in a five-run fourth inning that turned the game around.

The error-filled frame came at the expense of Lincoln starter R.D. Spiehs (2-2), who had allowed just one hit in the first three innings.  Sioux Falls opened the inning with a pair of singles, and had runners on second and third with nobody out.  The first two Lincoln errors plated a run, and an RBI groundout cut the lead to 3-2.  The Canaries tied the game on a play at the plate when the Saltdogs forgot to tag the runner, and a throwing error gave Sioux Falls two more runs and a lead they would not relinquish.  Patrick Reilly then blew the game wide open with a three-run home run in the fifth inning, and the Canaries tacked on four more runs in the final three innings to set the final margin.

Before the disastrous fourth inning, Lincoln looked to be the team in control.  Jonny Kaplan ripped a two-out, two-run double in the second inning off of Canaries starter Lenny Bays (3-2), and Mario Delgado led off the third inning with a solo homer, his tenth of the season.  The Saltdogs left 11 men on base in the game, however, eight of them in the first five innings.

Skip Adams finished the night 3-for-4 with a double, a walk and a run scored, while Kaplan went 2-for-5 with two RBI.  Delgado and Dustin Yount also had two hits apiece for Lincoln, which fell into a three-way tie for first place with both the Canaries and St. Paul.

The Saltdogs and Canaries play the finale of their three-game series Thursday night at 7:05.  Brian Campbell is scheduled to make the start for Lincoln.

The Saltdogs’ current homestand runs through July 20.  For team and ticket information, go to www.saltdogs.com.