LINCOLN — Shairon Martis turned in a quality start in his return from the disabled list as the Saltdogs (26-41) dispatched the Amarillo Thunderheads (30-38) 5-3 in front of 2,960 fans to take the series at Haymarket Park Monday night.
Martis (5-2), who had been shelved since July 25 with a groin injury, tossed 6 1/3 innings, allowing three runs while striking out five and walking none to earn the win.
Conor Spink threw 1 2/3 innings of one-run relief, inducing two double play balls to hold the lead. Marshall Schuler worked a perfect ninth for his third save.
Lincoln jumped in front on a Curt Smith two-out RBI single in the first.
After Amarillo scored a run in the second, the ‘Dogs responded with a pair on an Eddie Young single to center.
Geraldo Valentin homered to lead off the fifth to pull Amarillo within a run, but Lincoln tallied two in the bottom of the fifth on consecutive two-out singles by Smith and Mike Gilmartin.
Lincoln stole a season-high five bases in the series-clinching victory.
The Saltdogs are off Tuesday and open a three-game series at St. Paul Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. It’s the first of 26 straight games. LHP Kevin McGovern (4-4, 4.95) is expected to face RHP Robert Coe (6-3, 3.25).
Radio coverage begins at 6:35 p.m. on KFOR FM 103.3/1240 AM.