GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas — Yasel Gomez hit a solo home run, but that would be all the Saltdogs (49-49) could muster as Grand Prairie AirHogs (52-46) took the series opener 5-1 in front of 3,412 fans at QuikTrip Park Saturday night.
Grand Prairie jumped out to a 2-0 lead after the first inning, and added three more in the fifth before Gomez's shot got the 'Dogs on the board in the top of the sixth.
Josh Strawn (9-7) pitched 7 2/3 innings, allowing one run on six hits while walking one and striking out four to earn the win. American Association Relief Pitcher of the Year Patrick Mincey pitched the final 1 1/3 innings to book his 23rd save.
Stayton Thomas (2-4) surrendered five runs on seven hits in five innings to suffer the loss.
The clubs play game two of the three-game set Sunday night at 6:05 p.m. Radio coverage begins at 5:35 p.m. on KFOR 1240.