GARY, Ind. — The Saltdogs (35-24) battled back from two deficits to beat the Gary SouthShore RailCats (31-29) 7-6 in 11 innings in front of 3,805 fans at U.S. Steel Yard Friday night.
Lincoln has now won 17 of their last 21 and leads the Central division by 4 1/2 games.
Trailing 3-0 after six innings, Lincoln rallied for five runs in the top of the seventh to take their first lead.
Connor Teykl provided Lincoln the lead on a three-run double down the line in right.
Gary answered immediately in the bottom of the seventh with three runs to jump back in front 6-5.
Austin Darby led off the ninth with a double, and eventually hustled in to score from second on a ball that never left the infield.
Gary made two defensive substitutions in the ninth inning and they each committed an error to allow Lincoln to force extra innings.
Rene Leveret sliced the go-ahead double down the right field line in the 11th, scoring pinch runner Freddy Flores.
Every player available tonight for manager Bobby Brown saw action except for reliever Clayton Cook.
Brad Orosey (3-2) pitched two hitless innings of relief to earn the win. Stephen Shackleford loaded the bases in the 11th but buckled down to convert his second save.
The series continues Saturday night at 6:10 p.m. RHP Shairon Martis is expected to face RHP Richard Castillo. Radio coverage begins at 5:35 p.m. on KFOR FM 103.3/1240 AM.