CLEBURNE, Texas – Josh Altmann hit a go-ahead homer in a three-run 5th inning, and the Saltdogs rallied from an early 3-0 deficit to salvage the last of a three-game set with a 5-3 win over the Cleburne Railroaders at The Depot on Thursday night.
Altmann hit his team-leading eighth homer of the year two batters after Justin Byrd hit a two-run homer to tie the game at three, and the Lincoln (18-19) held on for their second win in Cleburne (20-19) this year.
The ‘Dogs added an insurance run when Curt Smith doubled in Ryan Long to deep left-center in the 8th, and James Pugliese worked around a walk and a hit with two strikeouts in a scoreless 9th for his ninth save of the year.
Kyle Kinman allowed three runs in the 1st inning but responded with his fourth quality start of the year, allowing those three runs on six hits with five walks and seven strikeouts over six innings. Carter Hope worked around two singles to begin the 7th to keep Lincoln in front, and Logan Lombana went 1-2-3 in the 8th.
Byrd’s homer was hit fourth of the year, while Long went 2-for-4 with a triple and an RBI. Edgar Corcino had two more hits, while David Vidal extended his hitting streak to six games with a single in the 4th inning.
The ‘Dogs snapped an eight-game road losing streak and will now head to Kansas City for the first two of four games in a doubleheader on Friday. Game 1 will start at 5:00 p.m., and ESPN Lincoln 101.5 FM and 1480 AM will join in progress with the conclusion of Hail Varsity at 6 p.m.
The Saltdogs are celebrating their 20th season at Haymarket Park this season! All ticket and promotional information can be viewed at saltdogs.com.