LINCOLN — The Saltdogs (28-42) got solid pitching and timely hitting as they edged the Laredo Lemurs (32-37) 4-3 at Haymarket Park Wednesday night.
Wade Mackey (5-1) tossed seven innings, allowing three runs on nine hits while fanning four and walking none to earn the victory. Moises Melendez and P.J. Zocchi combined for a perfect final two frames, with Zocchi collecting his 16th save.
After Laredo tied the game at 3-3 in the top of the seventh with back-to-back home runs from Stephen Douglas and Palmer Karr Jr, John Alonso smoked a two-out double to left to give the Saltdogs a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the seventh.
Lincoln took its initial lead with three runs in the first, highlighted by a Matt Forgatch two-run single.
Leonard Giammanco (1-4) pitched two innings of relief, allowing a run on two hits to suffer the loss.
Alonso finished 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI. Jimmy Rohan went 2-for-4 with two runs scored.
The clubs are back at it Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. for the rubber match. Brandon Sinnery (1-0, 1.35) is slated to start against Mark Haynes (3-4, 5.53). Radio coverage begins at 6:35 p.m. on KFOR 1240.