LINCOLN — Jon Gaston homered but Gary SouthShore’s two-out attack proved too much for the Saltdogs as the RailCats (3-3) beat Lincoln (3-2) 9-4 in front of 1,812 fans at Haymarket Park Tuesday night.
Eight of Gary’s nine runs came with two outs. The RailCats sprung for four runs in the third inning to take a 4-1 lead after there were two outs with the bases empty.
Gaston’s two-run shot cut the deficit to 4-3 in the bottom of the third. Gary then added a run in the fifth and three more in the sixth on a Zac Mitchell two-out triple.
Charle Rosario (1-0) pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits, striking out five and walking one to earn the win.
Zach Staniewicz (0-1) lasted six innings, surrendering eight runs on eight hits while striking out three and walking four to suffer the loss.
Eddie Young, who entered in the fourth for Curt Smith (back), and Brian Joynt each turned in multi-hit efforts as the Saltdogs saw their three-game win streak come to an end.
The clubs are back at it Wednesday night at 6:35 p.m. for game three of the four-game series. RHP Jesse Smith (0-0, 1.50) will face off against LHP Andy Roberts (0-0, 1.59). Radio coverage begins at 6:05 p.m. on KFOR 1240.
It’s Wiener Wednesday featuring $1 Fairbury brand hot dogs! Get your tickets now at www.saltdogs.com.