Fargo-Moorhead cruises past Lincoln in rubber match

Dylan Engel

FARGO — The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks (34-30) cruised past the Lincoln Saltdogs (29-36) 8-2 in the series rubber match on Thursday afternoon at Newman Outdoor Field in front of 3,390 fans.

With the win and the series victory, the RedHawks have now won eight straight series at home. It is the longest streak of series victories at home for the RedHawks since they joined the American Association in 2011. 

Matt Walker started on the mound for the Hawks, tossing six innings of one-run ball. The RedHawks now improve to 5-0 in games started by Walker this season.

Jon Beymer tossed a scoreless seventh inning in relief, and Angelo Cabral gathered the final six outs for F-M, striking out five. 

Juan Fernandez extended his on-base streak to 22 games, collecting two RBIs and a run. Tripp Clark grabbed two hits, and Andy Nelson drove in three runs. 

Brian Fuentes drove in the first run of the game with an RBI single in the second, then Lincoln tied the game with a Cary Arbolida solo home run in the top of the fourth. 

The RedHawks took control of the game over the next three innings. Juan Fernandez launched a 414-foot blast over the wall in center field in the fifth, driving in two runs. Andy Nelson joined the fun with a three-run shot of his own over the wall in left field. 

The RedHawks got their seventh and eighth runs with a Tripp Clark RBI single and a Brian Fuentes RBI fielder’s choice. 

The RedHawks continue their homestand this weekend, as they welcome the Sioux City Explorers to town for a three-game series. Game 1 is set for Friday night, with first pitch at 7:02 p.m.

The first 1,000 fans through the gates on Friday will receive a free 701 cap presented by the University of North Dakota.