GARY, Ind. — Stephen Holdren drilled a go-ahead home run in the ninth inning to propel the Saltdogs (14-20) to a 3-2 win over the Gary SouthShore RailCats (15-19) in front of 5,215 fans at U.S. Steel Yard Saturday night.
Holdren’s big blast came with two outs in the top of the ninth, an opposite field shot over the big wall in left, to give the ‘Dogs the 3-2 lead. Holdren finished the night 3-for-4 with a home run, his fourth.
Pete Parise (4-2) worked three scoreless innings of relief, surrendering just one hit to earn the victory. P.J. Zocchi allowed the possible tying run into scoring position but ultimately slammed the door to notch his seventh save.
Chris Allen (3-3) allowed the deep fly to Holdren to take the loss in one inning of relief work.
Mike Provencher belted an impressive solo home run to open the game’s scoring in the first, his third long ball of the season.
The ‘Dogs fell behind 2-1 and tallied the equalizer on a double play ball in the top of the seventh. Lincoln grounded into a season-high four double plays in the victory.
The teams meet again Sunday at 2:10 p.m. for the rubber game of the three-game set. Wade Mackey (2-0, 3.27) will take the mound against Morgan Coombs (2-2, 5.40). Radio coverage begins at 1:35 p.m. on KFOR 1240.