GENEVA, Illinois – Justin Byrd had three hits and Greg Minier tossed four shutout innings in relief, but Kane County’s B.J. Lopez walked off the Saltdogs with a 15th-inning homer in a 4-3 win at Northwestern Medical Field on Tuesday night.
Twice the ‘Dogs had the Cougars down to their final strike, but both times Nick Zammarelli delivered game-tying hits. In the 9th it was a two-run double off of James Pugliese, and in the 14th it was an RBI double to straightaway center that got over Patrick Adams’ head to tie the game.
Lopez’s homer came with one out in the 15th, the second run allowed by Jake Hohensee in his second inning of relief.
Josh Altmann scored on an inside-the-park homer in the 1st inning after Mark Karaviotis was hurt diving after a ball hit into the left-field corner, and Byrd made it 2-0 with a two-out RBI single in the 5th.
John Richy tossed 5.2 scoreless innings for his third start of the year, both Carter Hope and Logan Lombana tossed a scoreless inning in relief. James Pugliese – with a chance for his league-leading 5th save – gave up two in the 9th for his first blown save of the year.
The ‘Dogs and Cougars continue the series on Wednesday night. First pitch time is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., and pregame coverage begins at 6:05 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.