LINCOLN — The Saltdogs (47-43) split a pair of decisions with the St. Paul Saints (46-43) in front of 3,579 fans at Haymarket Park Thursday night, dropping game one 7-2 and winning the nightcap 3-2 in extra-inning, walk-off fashion.
With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the eighth, the score tied at 2-2, Eddie Young hit a ground ball up the middle that was fielded by St. Paul shortstop Joey Becker. Becker flipped to the covering second baseman Devin Thaut who was taken out with a hard slide by Matt Forgatch to allow Ian Gac to score the winning run.
Joe Bisenius (5-2) turned in his second straight dominant outing since returning to Lincoln, going all eight, allowing two runs while striking out 10 and walking two. The Omaha native has tallied 21 strikeouts in 15 innings, compiling a 2-0 record since rejoining the club from his Mexican-League stint.
In game one, Joe Bonfe slugged a two-out grand slam in the third inning to give St. Paul a 5-1 lead, and they wouldn’t look back.
Jeff Shields (6-8) pitched a complete game to earn the victory.
Ian Gac swatted a solo shot to right in game one, his 21st of the season, and is now one shy of tying Argelis Nunez’s club-record 22 from 2010.
Gary was rained out with Kansas City so the Saltdogs remain 1/2 game behind the RailCats for the Central division lead with 10 to play.
The clubs played a double header to make up a June 19 rainout at St. Paul.
The series continues Friday night at 7:05 p.m. with RHP Zachary Varce (5-8, 4.25) on the hill against RHP Anthony Claggett (5-6, 3.36). Radio coverage begins at 6:35 p.m. on KFOR 1240 with “At the Ballpark” and “The Obie Show.”
Friday night is Saltdogs Team Poster Giveaway with a bonus fireworks show after the game! Great seats are still available at www.saltdogs.com.