GARY, Ind. — The Saltdogs (13-22) run of masterful starting pitching continued, as the club allowed zero earned runs in a double header sweep of the Gary SouthShore RailCats (17-17) in front of 4,424 fans at U.S. Steel Yard Saturday night.
In the night cap, former big league hurler Shairon Martis (2-1) threw a two-hit shutout, allowing just two base runners on ground ball singles. Martis went the full seven innings, striking out a season-high six to earn the win in the Saltdogs’ first shutout victory of the year.
Curt Smith singled home two runs in the top of the first for the entirety of the game’s scoring, helping the Saltdogs to their fifth straight win.
Kevin McGovern (2-1) turned in six splendid innings in the first game of the double header, allowing just an unearned run on five hits, fanning four and walking one in a 3-1 Lincoln victory.
Aaron Payne skied a home run down the right field line in the top of the second for his first professional home run, finishing the opener 3-for-3.
After the ‘Dogs allowed Gary to tie the game thanks to two errors in the bottom of the sixth, they struck for two runs in the top of the seventh on two his with an error.
Mackenzie King worked a hitless seventh to book his second save of the season.
Lincoln starting pitchers have dealt to the tune of a 1.32 ERA over the last eight games.
The Saltdogs go for the series sweep Sunday afternoon at 2:10 p.m. RHP Luis Chirinos (2-3, 6.08) will square off against RHP Charle Rosario (5-2, 5.17). Radio coverage begins at 1:35 p.m. on KFOR FM 103.3, 1240 AM.
The Saltdogs return home Tuesday, June 30 at 6:35 p.m. against St. Paul. Get your tickets now at saltdogs.com.