WINNIPEG, Man. — A big fifth inning, and some sturdy middle relief helped the Saltdogs (37-34) over the Winnipeg Goldeyes (36-33) 7-6 in front of 6,213 fans at Shaw Park Wednesday night.
Gac went 1-for-2 with a sac fly and a three-run homer, which gave Lincoln a 7-2 lead in the top of the fifth.
Danny Meszaros and P.J. Zocchi worked two scoreless innings of middle relief, bridging Pete Parise's (8-5) victory to R.J. Rodriguez's 23rd save.
Rodriguez allowed a run in the bottom of the ninth but was able to induce a ground out to end the game and strand runners on second and third. Parise pitched six innings, allowing five runs to pick up the win.
Curt Smith went 3-for-5 with three doubles and a RBI. The victory snaps a three-game slide for the 'Dogs. The first six hits of the game for the 'Dogs were doubles.
Josh Mazzola went 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBI in a losing effort for Winnipeg, who saw a five-game win streak come to an end.
The clubs are back at it for the series finale Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. Radio coverage begins at 6:35 p.m. on KFOR 1240. Mike Burns (4-4, 4.23) will face Chris Salamida (1-0, 1.50).