GARY, Ind. — The Saltdogs (28-44) overcame a three-run deficit, toppling the Gary SouthShore RailCats (32-40) 6-5 in front of 3,521 fans at U.S. Steel Yard Sunday afternoon.
An early error cost Lincoln three runs, and Gary stretched the lead to 4-1 with a lead-off homer from Adam Taylor in the third.
After chipping away in the fifth and sixth, the Saltdogs tied the game at 5-5 on a Mike Gilmartin two-run double in the seventh, which came on the 10th pitch of the at-bat against Matt Solter.
Lincoln took the lead on an Aaron Payne two-out single in the top of the 11th. Marshall Schuler was able to fade the automatic runner at second base (due to the International Tiebreaker Rule) to begin the bottom of the 11th, working a hitless frame for his fifth save.
Conor Spink (4-4) tossed two scoreless inning of relief to earn the win. Joe McCarty (0-1) allowed an unearned run in the top of the 11th to suffer the loss.
The Saltdogs racked up 15 hits and now have 29 over the first two games of the series, led by Tucker White’s 3-for-3 performance off the bench.
Chase Cunningham pitched admirably in his first professional appearance, going six innings while yielding two earned runs for Lincoln.
The ‘Dogs have won 10 of the last 12 meetings at Gary, and Schuler has saved each of the last six games that he’s been with the club at U.S. Steel Yard.
The Saltdogs go for the series sweep Monday night at 7:10 p.m. Radio coverage begins at 6:35 p.m. on KFOR FM 103.3/1240 AM.
Lincoln returns home to kick off a six-game home stand Tuesday night against Kansas City at 6:35 p.m. August 14 is a #FireworksFriday and August 15 is Star Wars Night with a Nelnet/UBT Light Saber Giveaway. Get your tickets now at www.saltdogs.com.