WICHITA, Kan. — For the second straight night the offense was All-Star caliber, but the pitching lacked as the Wichita Wingnuts (62-26) came back to rout the Saltdogs (46-42) 20-12 in front of 2,082 fans at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium Wednesday night.
The Saltdogs scored nine runs in the fifth to take a 11-7 lead but quickly gave it right back, as Wichita plated five runs over the next two frames.
Ian Gac busted out of his slump in a big way, going 4-for-5 with two doubles and a three-run homer, his 20th.
Jon Gaston went deep for the third straight game, finishing 2-for-5 with three RBI. The two-through-six hitters in the order all had multiple hits, in a 12-hit effort that was not enough on the heels of a 10-run, 14-hit performance in vain Tuesday.
Trey Barham (2-1) suffered the loss in relief; Jason Van Skike (11-4) notched the win with one inning of scoreless relief.
Over the last two nights, the clubs combined for 57 runs on 65 hits as Wichita swept the Saltdogs.
Lincoln is now 1/2 game behind Gary for the Central division lead with 12 games to play.
The Saltdogs return home for a double header Thursday night at 5:05 p.m. against the St. Paul Saints (making up a June 19 rainout in St. Paul). Radio coverage begins at 5 p.m. on KFOR 1240.