Sports stats



AA St. Paul Saints

Crenshaw Dominates as Saints Get Payback in Series Victory over Saltdogs, Win 5-1

July 3, 2019 - American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


ST. PAUL, MN - In front of the largest crowd of the season, 9,935 at CHS Field, the St. Paul Saints got just the performance they were looking for from starter Dustin Crenshaw. A night after going bullpen by committee, Crenshaw gave nearly everyone a night off. He dominated for 8.1 innings and the Saints bats came alive in the sixth for a 5-1 victory over the Lincoln Saltdogs on Wednesday night. The Saints, who dropped a three-game series in Lincoln earlier in the season by losing the rubber game in 15 innings, took two of three from the Saltdogs and improved to 29-15 on the season.

Crenshaw, and former Major Leaguer Shairon Martis, locked horns and breezed through the first five innings of the game. Neither pitcher was overly taxed, limiting their pitches as the night went along. Crenshaw faced one over the minimum through three, but the Saltdogs finally got to him in the fourth. With one out Randolph Oduber lined a single into right. Cody Regis followed with a walk, but Crenshaw got Curt Smith to foul out to first. Tyler Moore worked a seven pitch at bat, fouling off four pitches, and on the seventh pitch drilled an RBI double off the scoreboard in right that scored Oduber to make it 1-0 Saltdogs. Crenshaw fanned John Sansone to end the inning.

The Saints made sure Crenshaw walked away a winner by sending 10 men to the plate in the sixth and scoring four runs. With one out Max Murphy singled off of Martis, who had allowed just three singles up to that point. Dan Motl singled to left putting runners at first and second. Martis came out of the game for reliever Cameron McVey. The Saints then pulled off a double steal and catcher Daniel Herrera's throw to second glanced off Motl and went into center field allowing Murphy to score as Motl went to third. Brady Shoemaker singled to center scoring Motl giving the Saints a 2-1 lead. With two outs Jeremy Martinez singled to left as Shoemaker moved to second. Josh Allen then struck out, but advanced to first when the ball got past Herrera. With the bases loaded Jhonatan Solano drilled a two-run double down the left field line giving the Saints a 4-1 lead.

The Saints tacked on an insurance run in the seventh when Murphy walked, went to third on a double by Shoemaker and John Silviano walked to load the bases. A sacrifice fly from Martinez gave the Saints a four-run cushion. Shoemaker finished the night 3-3 with a double, RBI and a run scored.

After the fourth inning Crenshaw allowed just one hit heading into the ninth. With one out in the ninth Joe Lytle doubled to right and Crenshaw's night was over. It took reliever Ken Frosch just two pitches to end the game getting Tyler Moore to pop out to the catcher and John Sansone to ground out to third. Crenshaw went 8.1 innings allowing one run on five hits while walking one and striking out four.

The Saints begin a five-game series on Thursday night at Shaw Park against the Winnipeg Goldeyes at 7:00 p.m. The Saints send RHP Jake Matthys (5-2, 5.09) to the mound against Goldeyes RHP Joel Seddon (1-1, 4.19). The game can be heard on KFAN Plus, 96.7 FM.

Check out the St. Paul Saints Statistics

• Discuss this story on the American Association message board...

American Association Stories from July 3, 2019


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central