GARY, Ind. — The Saltdogs (13-23) jumped out to early 3-0 lead but the Gary SouthShore RailCats (18-17) quickly came back to win the series finale 5-3 to avoid the home sweep in front of 3,765 fans at U.S. Steel Yard Sunday afternoon.
Curt Smith smacked a two-run double down the right field line, and Brian Joynt added an RBI groundout as Lincoln took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first.
The RailCats capitalized on a throwing error to score two unearned runs in the bottom of the first then tied the game on a Jon Jones single in the second.
Michael Vaughn drilled his first homer of the year, a solo shot to left to give Gary its first lead of the series in the fourth.
Charle Rosario (6-2) pitched 7 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on six hits with five strikeouts and a walk to earn the win. Moises Melendez (0-2) yielded two runs in 2 2/3 innings of relief to suffer the loss.
Andy Loomis worked a scoreless ninth to notch his league-leading 10th save of the campaign.
Smith had two hits in all three games over the weekend and how has 700 for his career (in American professional leagues).
The Saltdogs are off Monday and return home to Haymarket Park to open a three-game series against the St. Paul Saints Tuesday night at 6:35 p.m. RHP Jesse Smith (2-3, 2.98) is set to face LHP Pedro Hernandez (4-2, 3.64). Radio coverage begins at 6:05 p.m. on KFOR FM 103.3/1240 AM.
Gets your tickets for the upcoming three-game series now, with a Independence Day Fireworks Spectacular July and an appearance by two-time Cy Young Award winner Denny McLain, at saltdogs.com.