LINCOLN — Chris McMurray launched a home run, A.J. Miller lifted a clutch sac fly, and the bullpen was outstanding as the Saltdogs (32-48) edged the Gary SouthShore RailCats (39-42) 3-2 in front of 5,017 fans at Haymarket Park Sunday evening.
With runners on second and third, one out, and two strikes on him in the bottom of the eighth, Miller launched a high fly ball to right center which brought in Mike Provencher to give the Saltdogs their first lead of the weekend.
McMurray crushed a two-run homer, his 13th of the year and first as a ‘Dog, to tie the game in the bottom of the fifth.
Conor Spink, Pete Parise and P.J. Zocchi combined to toss three hitless innings, walking just one and fanning five to get the win (Parise, 5-5) and the save (Zocchi, 20).
Marshall Schuler (1-2) allowed a run on two hits in one-plus inning to absorb the loss in relief.
Wade Mackey pitched well, going six innings and allowing just two runs, striking out six and walking four.
Provencher finished the game 3-for-4 with a run and two stolen bases.
The Saltdogs are off Monday and open up a three-game series at Kansas City Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. Radio coverage begins at 6:35 p.m. on KFOR 1240.