Whitney's resurgence sparks Hawks to win

Hawks 10,Saltdogs 4

- The story: Jason Fitzgerald had three hits for the RedHawks

- Inside: Pete Rose Jr. returns; Kinchen released, D5

- Next: Saltdogs at RedHawks, 7:05 tonight

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Jake Whitney is starting to resemble his former Northern League self.

The left-hander pitched seven solid innings Tuesday, helping the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks to a 10-4 victory against the Lincoln Saltdogs at Newman Outdoor Field.

"I finally found a good home here in Fargo," said Whitney, who was a solid starter in St. Paul for three seasons.

The RedHawks (6-6 second half, 38-22 overall) won their second consecutive game, taking the first two games of a four-game series against the Saltdogs.

Whitney started this season in St. Paul, but was released after a slow start. He went to Lincoln and spent time on the disabled list before another release.

Tuesday was his third and strongest start for the RedHawks. He scattered eight hits and allowed two runs, striking out two and walking none.

Whitney -- who is 3-5 overall this season -- improved to 1-1 and lowered his ERA to 4.26 with the RedHawks.

"It's good because he has experience and he knows the league," RedHawks manager Doug Simunic said.

"He's a competitor. He's an inning-eater and he likes to throw a lot of pitches."

After allowing single runs in the first and third innings, Whitney settled into a groove. He faced just one batter over the minimum in his last three innings. Of the eight hits he allowed, only one was for extra bases.

"I was very happy," said Whitney, who won his 50th game as a professional. "Simmy has all the confidence in the world in me and that helps. He's a good manager. He likes to win and that's what I like to do."

Initially brought in to pitch, Ben King was productive in his first start in the outfield for the RedHawks. King filled in for an injured Steve Foley, who is out with a broken hand.

King went 2-for-4 with two doubles, two runs scored and two RBI. The left-handed swinging King was a two-way standout in college, but arm injuries have slowed his development as a pitcher.

"King came off the bench and swung it pretty good," Simunic said. "We'll take a look at him as an offensive player with Foley out."

LINCOLN REDHAWKS

ab r h bi ab r h bi

Foreman cf 5 0 0 0 Mathis cf 3 1 0 1

Patton 3b 4 0 0 0 Jeffcoat ss 3 1 1 1

Warner rf 5 2 4 1 Smith lf 5 1 1 0

Peterson dh 3 0 2 2 Kofler dh 3 1 1 1

Rose 1b 4 1 1 0 Gulledge c 3 0 1 2

Doskocil 2b 4 0 0 0 Fitzgerld 1b 5 2 3 2

Moreno lf 4 0 1 0 Ward 2b 3 1 1 1

Machado ss 4 0 2 1 King rf 4 2 2 2

Santore c 4 1 2 0 Mazer 3b 3 1 1 0

Lincoln 101 000 020-- 4 12 1

RedHawks 112 103 02x--10 11 1

E--Rose (1), Jeffcoat (18). DP--Lincoln 2, RedHawks 1. LOB--Lincoln 8, RedHawks 8. 2B--Warner (17), Peterson (12), King 2 (2). 3B--Ward (2). SF--Peterson, Kofler. SB--Warner (6), Mathis (18), Fitzgerald (28). CS--Warner (2).

IP H R ER BB SO

Lincoln

Zipser L,5-5 5Zc 9 8 7 2 0

Lesko 1Xc 1 0 0 2 0

Trembley 1 1 2 2 4 2

RedHawks

Whitney W,3-5 7 8 2 2 0 2

Houdek 1 4 2 2 0 1

Spivey 1 0 0 0 1 1

WP--Zipser 2 (4), Whitney (1), Houdek (4). HBP--by Zipser (Mathis). PB--Gulledge.

Umpires--Home: Dan Gnadt, First: Rob Zelinka, Third: Hank Himmanen. Time--3:06. A--3,101.

Readers can reach Forum reporter Eric Peterson at (701) 241-5513