LINCOLN — With sturdy relief and a balanced offensive attack, the Saltdogs (44-37) edged the Wichita Wingnuts (56-26) 6-5 to pad their Central division lead to two games in front of 2,921 fans at Haymarket Park Wednesday night.
Jhonny Montoya (3-1) pitched two scoreless innings of middle relief, allowing one hit while striking out two to earn the win.
Marshall Schuler worked a hitless ninth to book his 30th save, matching an American Association record.
Lincoln took the ultimate 6-5 advantage in the seventh inning. Jon Gaston led off the frame by slicing a double down the left field line, was grounded to third by Ian Gac, and grounded in by Brian Joynt.
Gac finished 2-for-4 with his 19th home run and two RBI. Gaston and Luis Nunez also posted multi-hit efforts.
Shortstop Mike Gilmartin produced a big two-out RBI single to give Lincoln a 5-4 lead in the third.
Daniel Bennett (5-1) allowed a run in one inning out of the bullpen to suffer the loss.
Lincoln has taken four of six from Wichita so far this season, after it completed a 5-2 home stand to improve to a season-high seven games above .500.
The 'Dogs begin a seven-game road trip in Sioux City against the Explorers – who have won six in a row – Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. Radio coverage begins at 6:35 p.m. on KFOR 1240.