LINCOLN, Nebraska – Kyle Kinman tossed seven shutout innings and the Lincoln Saltdogs took the three-game series with a 2-0 win over the Gary SouthShore RailCats at Haymarket Park on Sunday afternoon.
Kinman allowed just three hits, two walks and struck out nine, while RailCats starter John Sheaks carried a perfect game into the 7th inning before Justin Byrd broke it up with a double. Ryan Long singled in Byrd to open the scoring and later Curt Smith made it 2-0 with an RBI single to left-center.
Carter Hope allowed two hits but pitched a scoreless 8th, while James Pugliese worked around a leadoff walk in a scoreless 9th for his league-leading 23rd save.
The Saltdogs sent the minimum to the plate in seven of the eight innings, but Kyle Kinman’s start lowered his ERA to 3.01 on the year and ensured that Lincoln will head into tomorrow’s day off in sole possession of second place in the South Division.
Lincoln (44-36) left just one runner on base and is now a season-high eight games over .500, while Gary SouthShore (32-49) had just three baserunners over the final five innings. Kinman retired the last 10 hitters he faced.
The ‘Dogs will now get Monday off before a three-game series with the Chicago Dogs begins on Tuesday. First pitch time is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. and pregame coverage will begin right after the conclusion of Hail Varsity radio on ESPN Lincoln 101.5 FM/1480 AM.
The Saltdogs are celebrating their 20th season at Haymarket Park this season! All ticket and promotional information can be viewed at saltdogs.com.