GARY, Ind. — Joe Spiers had four hits with a home run and the Lincoln bullpen got some huge outs late as the Saltdogs (15-20) hung on for the 6-5 rubber match victory over the Gary SouthShore RailCats (15-20) at U.S. Steel Yard Sunday afternoon.
With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the eighth, Brandon Cooney fell behind in the count to the dangerous Mike Coles but induced an inning-ending 6-4-3 double play to preserve the one-run lead.
Wade Mackey (3-0) pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on eight hits to pick up the win. P.J. Zocchi overpowered the opposition in a perfect ninth to earn his eighth save in nine chances.
Spiers finished 4-for-5 with a home run – his second, a double and two RBI. Holdren collected two RBI and Tommy Collaro had a multi-hit afternoon.
Gary manager Greg Tagert was ejected in the bottom of the seventh inning after Coles was ruled to have interfered with a throw near first base. Salomon Manriquez was tossed in the third for arguing balls and strikes.
The win gave the Saltdogs their first road series victory of the campaign.
Mike Massaro of Gary had three triples to equal a single-game American Association record.
The Saltdogs are off Monday and return to action Tuesday night at 7:02 p.m. against Fargo-Moorhead at Newman Outdoor Field. Brandon Hedrick (0-0, 0.00) is scheduled to make the start for Lincoln. Pregame coverage begins at 6:35 p.m. on KFOR 1240.