IL St. Paul Saints

Bullpen Steps as Saints Win Fifth Straight 8-4 Over Bats

Published on August 13, 2023 under International League (IL)
St. Paul Saints News Release


ST. PAUL, MN - The St. Paul Saints didn't have a starter for Saturday night, so it was bullpen by committee. Patrick Murphy, who had 34 relief appearances this season, was asked to start and he set the tone for the night. The offense capitalized on 10 Louisville Bats walks in an 8-4 victory on Saturday night at CHS Field in front of 8,215.

Murphy began the night by hitting the first batter he faced before retiring the next three hitters. The lone run Murphy gave up was an unearned run in the second. Noelvi Marte led off with an infield single to third, moved to second on a wild pitch, and scored when he stole third and came home on the throwing error by catcher Chris Williams making it 1-0. Murphy went 4.0 innings allowing one unearned run on two hits while walking two and striking out five.

The Saints grabbed the lead in the fourth with one swing of the bat. With one out, Austin Martin drew a walk. With two outs Williams walked putting runners at first and second. Hernán Pérez then deposited one over the right-center field wall for a three-run homer, his fifth of the season, putting the Saints up 3-1.

The lead for the Saints, however, disappeared in the next half inning. Reliever Michael Boyle walked the first two hitters he faced and, with two outs, walked Nick Martini to load the bases. Austin Schulfer came on in relief and gave up an RBI single to Marte cutting the Saints lead to 3-2. The next hitter, Jose Barrero, lined a two-run single into center putting the Bats up 4-3. Schulfer wouldn't allow another hit as he went 2.1 scoreless innings allowing two hits while walking one and striking out two.

The Saints snagged the lead right back in the bottom of the inning. With one out Trevor Larnach walked, stole second, and scored on a Yunior Severino double off the wall in right tying the game at four. Martin walked and DaShawn Keirsey Jr. was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Williams knocked home two with a single to center giving the Saints a 6-4 lead. Williams went 2-3 with a double, two RBI, and a run scored. A wild pitch scored Keirsey Jr. increasing the lead to 7-4.

In the eighth the Saints added an insurance run when they loaded the bases with two outs on a Brooks Lee single and back-to-back walks to Larnach and Kyle Garlick. Lee would score on a wild pitch making it 8-4.

Oliver Ortega finished it up for the Saints pitching 2.0 perfect innings while striking out three to pick up his fourth save of the season.

The same two teams meet in the finale of the six-game series on Sunday afternoon at CHS Field at 2:07 p.m. The Saints send RHP Carlos Luna (NR) to the mound against Bats RHP Ben Lively (4-0, 2.33). The game can be seen on the Saints Broadcast Network, cable access channels in and around the Twin Cities, the Bally Live app (free), and MiLB.TV (subscription), and heard on KFAN Plus. 96.7 FM.

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International League Stories from August 13, 2023


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