LINCOLN — Casey Barnes threw seven sparkling innings as the Saltdogs (29-22) blanked the Texas AirHogs (20-32) 1-0 in front of 2,437 fans at Haymarket Park Tuesday night.
The first-place Saltdogs have now won a season-high six consecutive games and are a season-high seven games above .500.
Barnes (3-3) yielded just two hits and struck out three to earn the victory.
The 28-year old from Chandler, Ariz. allowed just one runner into scoring position — on a lost-in-the-sun fly ball double with two out in the sixth.
Brad Orosey struck out the side in a perfect eighth and Evan Reed pitched a hitless ninth to earn his 12th save.
Curt Smith went 3-for-4, driving in the lone run on a two-out single to right in the fifth.
The Saltdogs have shutout the opposition six times in their 29 victories, and pitched another walk-less game.
Lincoln goes for the sweep Wednesday night at 6:35 p.m. RHP Ryan O’Sullivan is expected to face RHP Sam Martin.
Radio coverage begins at 6:05 p.m. on KFOR FM 103.3/1240 AM. Online stream starts at 6:30 p.m. on AmericanAssociationBaseball.TV.