SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Ian Gac was massive yet again and Jeremy Hamilton made a diving catch in left to end the game as the Saltdogs (51-44) edged the Sioux Falls Canaries (31-64) 4-3 in front of 2,089 fans at The Birdcage Wednesday night.
Gac went 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBI. Each of his three hits gave the Saltdogs the lead with two outs, highlighted by an opposite field homer in the ninth (his 24th).
The 29-year old slugger provided Lincoln a 1-0 lead in the first, a 3-2 lead in the seventh and the ultimate 4-3 lead in the ninth.
Zachary Varce worked seven strong innings. Jhonny Montoya (4-2) picked up the win in relief and Marshall Schuler mopped up his league record-extending 34th save of the year.
With two on and two out, Hamilton sprinted in from deep left to make a back-handed diving catch in shallow left center off the bat of Kevin Dultz to secure the Saltdogs’ victory.
Lincoln remains in a tie for first place in the Central division with the RailCats with five games remaining, and the ‘Dogs hold the head-to-head tiebreaker.
The Saltdogs go for the sweep Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. with LHP Kevin McGovern (3-2, 3.86) on the hill against RHP Kye Winter (1-3, 7.04). Radio coverage begins at 6:35 p.m. on KFOR 1240.