AMARILLO, Texas — Jon Gaston homered but again the Saltdogs (4-6) could not protect an early lead as the Amarillo Thunderheads (6-4) came back to win 7-6, completing the weekend sweep at Potter County Memorial Stadium Sunday afternoon.
Lincoln plated three in the first, and led 5-2 heading into the bottom of the fourth before the Thunderheads sprung for five runs on four hits, two walks, and a hit batsman to take the ultimate lead.
The Saltdogs scored a run in the eighth after singles by Eddie Young and Matt Forgatch and a wild pitch, but stranded the possible tying run in scoring position.
Billy Petrick (1-1), a former Chicago Cub, worked three scoreless innings of relief to earn the win. Luis Chirinos (1-1) lasted six innings, surrendering six earned runs to suffer the loss. Kyle Bellows pitched a perfect ninth to book his second save.
Moises Melendez spun two strong innings of relief for Lincoln to keep them in the game, working around a lead-off triple in the bottom of the eighth to post a scoreless frame.
The Saltdogs smacked 37 hits in the series, but squandered leads of five runs, three runs and three in getting swept.
The ‘Dogs open a three-game series at the Laredo Lemurs Monday night at 7:30 p.m. RHP Zach Staniewicz (0-1, 12.00) is expected to throw against LHP Kevin Brandt (0-0, 0.00) Radio coverage begins at 7:05 p.m. on KFOR 1240.