AA St. Paul Saints

A Walk on the Wild Side as Saints Win in Dramatic Fashion 15-14

Published on August 15, 2010 under American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


ST. PAUL, MN (August 15, 2010) - One team pounded out 22 hits (Lincoln Saltdogs), the other drew an American Association record 18 walks (St. Paul Saints) and in the end it was a wild pitch that propelled the St. Paul Saints to a dramatic 15-14 win over the Lincoln Saltdogs on Sunday afternoon at Midway Stadium in front of 5,186.

The ninth inning was a culmination of a bizarre game from beginning to end as the Saints trailed 14-13. In the ninth Ole Sheldon led off with a walk and Jason Cooper followed with one of his own. The walk to Cooper was his fifth of the game tying an American Association and franchise record which was set by Saints outfielder Anthony Norman last season. Brent Krause dropped a sacrifice bunt down putting runners at second and third. Josh Burrus was intentionally walked to load the bases. Gerard Haran was then hit by a pitch forcing in a run to tie the game at 14. Brandon Carter popped out for the second out of the inning. On the second pitch to Steve Butler, Chris Thompson unleashed a wild pitch allowing pinch runner Steve Mays to score the winning run. It was the first victory for the Saints when trailing after the seventh inning. They are now 1-33 in those situations this season.

The Saints trailed 6-0 heading into the bottom of the third and 14-10 heading into the bottom of the seventh and came back both times.

With the Saints trailing 6-0 in the third Josh Alley and Chad Gabriel drew back-to-back walks. Sheldon ripped an RBI single to left making it 6-1. Cooper followed with an RBI single to make it 6-2. Krause walked to load the bases and the next two hitters, Burrus and Haran walked forcing in runs to make it 6-4. Carter's RBI ground out made it 6-5.

The Saints took the lead in the fourth when Sheldon slugged a solo homer to right-center, his first of the day and 18th of the season tying the game at six. A walk to Cooper and an RBI double from Krause gave the Saints their first lead of the game at 7-6.

In the bottom of the seventh with the Saints trailing 14-10 Alley walked and with one out Sheldon homered to left, his second of the game and 19th of the season, making it 14-12. Sheldon finished the game 3-3 with two homers, four RBI and four runs scored. Cooper walked, moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on a single from Burrus pulling the Saints to within 14-13 setting up the dramatic ninth inning.

Saints reliever Matt Meyer was incredible again going 2.0 innings of shutout ball allowing one hit while striking out three to earn the win. He has now thrown 21.1 consecutive scoreless innings since joining the Saints, a franchise record.

Cooper finished the day 1-1 with an RBI, five walks and three runs scored. The Saints hit a total of four homers getting a two-run homer from Steve Butler, his first of the season, in the fifth and a solo homer from Josh Burrus in the sixth, his fourth of the season.

The Saints have Monday off and begin a three game series against the Sioux Falls Pheasants on Tuesday evening at 7:05 p.m. at Sioux Falls Stadium. The Saints send RHP Zach Peterson (6-5, 3.43) to the mound. The game can be heard on Relevant Radio 1330.

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American Association Stories from August 15, 2010


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