GARY, Indiana – David Vidal hit his eighth home run, and the Saltdogs scored a single run in each of the first seven innings en route to a 7-4 win to take the series against the Gary SouthShore RailCats at the U.S. Steel Yard on Sunday afternoon.
Vidal’s solo homer gave the Saltdogs a lead for good in the 2nd inning, and the ‘Dogs cruised to their 10th road win in their last 13.
Lincoln (39-34) scored a single run in each of the first seven innings. Josh Altmann had an RBI single in the 1st, while Vidal had the solo homer and a bases-loaded walk in the 2nd and 3rd. Justin Byrd hit an RBI single in the 4th, Curt Smith had an RBI single in the 5th, Ryan Long hit a sacrifice fly in the 6th and Skyler Weber drove in another run in the 7th.
Ben Wereski allowed three runs over five innings but earned his first professional win, while David Zoz tossed 1.1 scoreless innings and Jesse Stallings struck out both hitters he faced in the 7th. Carson Lance allowed one run in the 8th, and James Pugliese picked up his league-leading 20th save in the 9th.
Justin Byrd went 3-for-4 and how has a 10-game hitting streak, while Curt Smith went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a walk. Skyler Weber had three hits for the fourth time this year, and Gunnar Buhner collected his second multi-hit game in the last week.
The Saltdogs took two of three from the RailCats to begin the seven-game road trip. Lincoln now continues the trip with the first-ever visit to Franklin, WI to play the Milwaukee Milkmen. The first game of the four-game series is scheduled for Monday at 6:35 p.m., and pregame coverage begin at 6:05 p.m. 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.