LINCOLN — Behind terrific pitching and a pair of two-out home runs, the Saltdogs (43-37) beat the Wichita Wingnuts (56-25) 4-2 in front of 2,821 fans at Haymarket Park Tuesday night.
Kevin McGovern (3-1) pitched six innings, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out six and walking one to earn the win.
Brian Joynt whacked a two-out opposite field homer, his eighth, to open the game's scoring in the fourth.
After Wichita tied the game in the fifth, Lincoln retook the lead on a double play ball before Jon Gaston bombed a two-run homer to right center. The long ball was Gaston's third in as many games, and fourth of the home stand.
Conor Spink pitched two squirrelly yet effective innings of middle relief, walking the lead-off runner in the seventh and putting the lead-off man at third with a two-base throwing error in the eighth, without allowing a run.
Marshall Schuler worked a scoreless ninth for his 29th save, which is one shy of matching the American Association record.
Jason Van Skike (9-4) pitched seven innings, allowing four runs on five hits to suffer the loss.
The clubs are back at it for the rubber game of the three-game set Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. RHP Marquis Fleming (9-3, 2.95) is slated to face RHP Justin Klipp (7-3, 3.62). Radio coverage begins at 6:35 p.m. on KFOR 1240.