07/27/2005 11:04 PM - Click here to view the box.

In the rubber match of Southern Division rivals, the T-Bones, leading 4-3 going into the ninth, allowed the Saltdogs to score six in the final frame and left the T-Bones licking their wounds in a 9-5 loss Wednesday night at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.

Making his twelfth start of the season, all-star Jon McDonald tossed eight solid innings holding the Saltdogs in check for most of the night. The righthander put the T-Bones in position to win their third in their last four ballgames, striking out eight along the way. After throwing 114 pitches and allowing only two earned runs, McDonald gave way to the bullpen to pitch the ninth.

Protecting a one-run lead, reliever Nate Ruhl (L, 0-2) entered the ballgame and promptly allowed six runs in his 1/3 of an inning pitched. After loading the bases, Ruhl surrendered back to back RBI singles off the bats of Albenis Machado and Bryan Warner. Pichi Balet and Josh Patton also delivered RBIs in the frame which the Saltdogs left on top leading 9-4.

In the home half of the ninth, Rick Prieto homered to bring the T-Bones to within four. Following Prieto’s shot, Greg Jacobs walked and Ray Brown singled, but the lead proved to be too great as the T-Bones lost for the second consecutive night.

Saltdogs’ starting pitcher Rodney Myers (W, 6-2) turned in an equally effective start, but unlike his counterpart, picked up the victory. Myers matched McDonald’s eight innings scattering eight hits.

Notes: Prieto became the all time leader in games played in franchise history with 226... Prieto was joined by Jacobs and Ray Brown with three hits in the ballgame… Lincoln’s Cory Harris homered for the second consecutive ballgame and now has 18 on the season…