AA St. Paul Saints

Bolton Pitches Way onto All-Star Team with Three Hit Complete Game Shutout

Published on July 9, 2008 under American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


SHREVEPORT, LA (July 9, 2008) - Call him All-Star Dustin Bolton. With Saints All-Star pitcher Craig Molldrem signed by the Boston Red Sox organization on Wednesday night, Bolton pitched himself onto the team after hurling a three-hit complete game shutout against the Shreveport Sports in a 3-0 victory.

Bolton was so dominating that he allowed just one runner to second base all night and that came in the first on a two out double to Ron Fenwick. The rest of the night just three other hitters reached first base as Bolton tossed five 1-2-3 innings. He retired the final nine men he faced. The only other runners to reach base were a one out single by Adam Hale in the second, a one out single to Tommy Bryant in the fifth and a lead off walk to Justin Humphries in the seventh. Bolton walked one and struck out three in earning his first professional complete game shutout. He tossed 97 pitches, 66 for strikes. He is now 4-2 with a 2.58 ERA, vaulting him to fourth in the league in ERA.

The Saints got Bolton all the run support they needed in the third. With one out Julius Thames reached first on a fielding error by third baseman Bobby Bratton. He stole second and moved to third on a single by Tony Mansolino. He finished the night 3-5 with a run scored. Heath Keel was hit by a pitch and Pichi Balet followed with a two-run single to right that gave the Saints a 2-0 lead.

The Saints tacked on an insurance run in the fifth when Josh Womack reached on a fielding error by Bratton. He moved to third on a single by Mansolino and Keel followed with a walk to load the bases. Balet walked with the bases loaded to force in a run. He finished the night 2-3 with three RBI.

Sports starter Thad Markray was overpowering during the evening. He hurled 8.0 innings giving up three runs (one earned) on eight hits while walking two and striking out nine, the third time this season he has done so. He struck out the side twice and at one point struck out four in a row. He threw 132 pitches, 89 for strikes.

The same two teams meet in the finale of the four game series at Fair Grounds Field. The Saints send LHP Mark Romanczuk (0-0, 5.23) against Sports RHP Bert Snow (1-7, 8.05). The game can be heard on Relevant Radio 1330.

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