ST. PAUL, MN (July 2, 2009) - In front of a St. Paul Saints franchise record 9,381 fans the Saints fell short 5-3 to the Lincoln Saltdogs at Midway Stadium on Thursday night.
With the Saints trailing 2-0 heading into the seventh inning, they were able to score late for the third night in a row. With one out Brent Krause walked and with two outs he scored on Andrew Schmiesing's league leading fifth triple of the season. Scott Knazek followed that with an RBI single to left tying the game at two.
In the eighth, however, Shawn McGill led off with an infield single to third for the Saltdogs. Steve Alexander walked and Shea McFeely's sacrifice bunt put runners at second and third. Brandon Jones then squared for a suicide squeeze, but the pitch was down and away and he missed the bunt. Catcher Knazek couldn't handle the ball, however, and McGill wound up stealing home and pinch runner Jake Jadlowski stole third. He scored on Jones' sacrifice fly to make it 4-2.
The Saints cut the deficit to one in the eighth when Jason Cooper doubled and scored on Jake Butler's RBI single.
The Saltdogs got an insurance run in the ninth and the Saints had an opportunity to tie it in the bottom of the ninth. With two outs Steve Butler walked and Anthony Norman singled him to third. Norman then stole second putting the tying runs in scoring position, but Tony Mansolino struck out swinging on a 3-2 pitch to end the game.
Saints starter and University of Minnesota graduate Tom Buske pitched well going 6.0 innings allowing two runs on three hits while walking four and striking out two as he received a no decision.
The Saints head out on the road for a three game series at Lewis and Clark Park to take on the Sioux City Explorers on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. The Saints send RHP Mitch Wylie (5-3, 4.17) against Explorers RHP Steve Spurgeon (4-4, 4.20). The game can be heard live on Relevant Radio 1330.
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