QUEBEC, P.Q., Que. — Stephen Holdren spanked a go-ahead grand slam in the seventh and P.J. Zocchi slammed the door shut in the ninth for his record-setting 23rd save as the Saltdogs (40-57) topped the Quebec Capitales (64-33) 6-5 at Stade Municipal Friday night.
With the ‘Dogs trailing 5-2 in the top of the seventh, Jimmy Rohan walked to load the bases. Holdren then fell behind in the count 1-2 before clubbing his second grand slam of the season, an impressive drive to right to push Lincoln in front.
Conor Spink (W, 1-1) and Pete Parise combined for 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief to bridge the gap to Zocchi.
After Rene Leveret singled to begin the bottom of the ninth, Matt Forgatch made a brilliant head-first diving catch on a Josue Peley line drive and then doubled off the runner from first.
Forgatch also went 3-for-4 at the plate with two doubles, a triple, a walk, two runs and a stolen base.
Zocchi surpassed Chris Weidert’s previous club record of 22 saves from the 2001 campaign.
The Saltdogs are back at it Saturday night at 6 p.m. to open a three-game road series against Rockland Boulders. Radio coverage begins at 5:30 p.m. on KFOR 1240.