LINCOLN — Gary SouthShore RailCats (39-41) stroked four doubles in the fourth inning and held off a late Saltdogs (31-48) surge to earn a 7-5 victory in front of 3,164 fans at Haymarket Park Saturday night.
With the score 4-1 Cats, Gary sprung for three runs on the four extra base hits in the top of the fourth to take a 7-1 advantage.
Saltdogs scored four runs over the final three innings and had the possible tying run on base before the game’s end.
Jon Gulbransen (4-1) pitched six innings, allowing just an unearned run on five hits while striking out five and walking one to earn the win. Ryan Sheldon (5-4) went five, allowing six earned on 12 hits while fanning six and walking zero to suffer the loss.
Matt Forgatch went 3-for-4 with a run, stolen base and RBI. Sean Smith finished the night 3-for-5 with two runs and two stolen bases.
Saltdogs first baseman Jimmy Rohan left the game after the first inning with an apparent groin injury. A.J. Miller went 2-for-3 with a run as his replacement.
The RailCats have now won six games in a row.
The clubs are back at it Sunday evening at 5:05 p.m. for the finale of the three-game set. Wade Mackey (6-1, 3.58) will toe the slab against Morgan Coombs (4-7, 5.72). Radio coverage begins at 4:35 p.m. on KFOR 1240.