GARY, Ind. — The Saltdogs (27-44) jumped out to a big early lead, then had to come back in the sixth and hang on late to defeat the Gary SouthShore RailCats (32-39) 7-6 in front of 6,077 fans at U.S. Steel Yard Saturday night.
After scoring two runs in the first, Matt Forgatch and Mike Gilmartin delivered two-out RBI hits in the third and fourth innings respectively to bolster Lincoln’s lead to 4-0.
Gary sprung for five runs in the bottom of the fifth to take the lead, led by a three-run triple from Jaime Del Valle and a go-ahead solo homer from Alex Hernandez.
The ‘Dogs got right back to work in the sixth, plating three two-out runs with consecutive singles from Forgatch and Aaron Payne and a double steal.
Conor Spink and Ryan Fennell kept the lead in the middle innings and Marshall Schuler worked around a lead-off double surrendered in the ninth to book his fourth save.
Shairon Martis (6-2) pitched six innings, allowing five runs while striking out two and walking four to pick up the win.
Jessie Snodgrass (4-5) yielded two runs in 2 2/3 innings of relief to suffer the loss.
Lincoln had at least one hit in the first eight innings, finishing with 14.
The Saltdogs have won seven of the last eight meetings at U.S. Steel Yard.
Game two of the three-game series is Sunday afternoon at 2:10 p.m. RHP Chase Cunningham will make his professional debut against RHP Travis McGee (1-0, 3.72). Radio coverage begins at 1:35 p.m. on KFOR FM 103.3/1240 AM.