The Kansas City T-Bones out-hit the Saltdogs, but lost 4-1 Wednesday night at Haymarket Park in Lincoln, Neb.
The T-Bones lone run came in the first inning, when Starlin Rodriguez scored on a wild pitch from Lincoln starting pitcher Jesse Smith (3-6).
The T-Bones after the wild pitch had Nate Tenbrink at third base and Jake Blackwood at second base with no outs and a 1-0 lead, but failed to capitalize to add further damage.
The Saltdogs wasted no time taking their lead in the first inning, with two runs against T-Bones starting pitcher Bobby Doran (8-3), both scored with two outs in the inning. Lincoln added another run in the second inning to take a 3-1 lead.
The T-Bones had seven hits, all singles, compared to Lincoln’s six hits. Doran pitched six and two thirds innings, and allowed three earned runs on six hits. Nate Tenbrink led the offense for Kansas City, adding three hits. Tenbrink was the only T-Bones hitter with multiple hits.
Despite the loss, Joplin lost at home against Rockland, keeping Kansas City just half a game back of the wild card race.
The T-Bones (40-33) continue the seven-game road trip Thursday evening against the Lincoln Saltdogs (29-46), with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m.
The T-Bones return home to CommunityAmerica Ballpark on Aug. 18, and tickets are available by calling the box office at CommunityAmerica Ballpark at 913-328-5618.
– Story from T-Bones