Sports stats



AA St. Paul Saints

Defense, Injuries Hurt Saints in 4-2 Loss to Dogs

June 15, 2018 - American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


ROSEMONT, IL - The St. Paul Saints roster was already thin going into Friday night's game at Impact Field. They had lost second baseman Josh Allen, who had his contract purchased by the Mets on Thursday, pitcher Vinny Nittoli, who signed in Mexico on Tuesday, and pitcher Ryan Boelter, who went on the disabled list on Wednesday. They lost their starting catcher Justin O'Conner on Friday night, committed three errors and lost 4-2 to the Chicago Dogs.

The Saints defense, who had committed 27 errors in 25 games this season, faltered in the first. With one out Edwin Arroyo blooped a single into center. With two outs Joe Benson walked. Matt Dean then hit a grounder to shortstop JJ Gould, but the ball went under his glove and through his legs into left field. That allowed Arroyo to score and sent Benson to third. Ryan Wagner then followed with a two-run double making it 3-0 Dogs.

In the fourth the Saints got on the board when Noah Perio Jr. singled to right-center. He stole second and moved to third on a groundout by Brady Shoemaker. Dante Bichette Jr.'s groundout scored Perio Jr. to make it 3-1.

In the bottom of the fourth the Saints lost O'Conner when a foul tip injured his thumb. The Saints tried to push through in the top of the fifth when Jayce Boyd led off with a double and advanced to third on a groundout by Jake Smith in his first professional at bat. Gould then hit a grounder to third and Boyd tried to score, but was thrown out. Kes Carter doubled Gould to third and an RBI infield single by Max Murphy made it 3-2. With the tying run at third and two outs Brady Shoemaker flew out to center to end the inning.

The Dogs scored an insurance run in the bottom of the inning when Jonathan Moroney singled to left. With one out Moroney advanced to second on a wild pitch and moved to third on a groundout. Moroney would score on a wild pitch that appeared to glance off the backhanded try of Bichette Jr. to give the Dogs a two run lead. Saints starter Eddie Medina pitched well and went 6.2 innings allowing four runs (one earned) on seven hits while walking one and striking out seven.

The Siants only other chance to score came in the sixth when Richard Prigatano reached on a two-out infield single to short. Boyd singled to right-center moving Prigatano to third. Smith, however, would hit a broken bat pop up to second to end the inning. The Saints failed to collect a hit over their final 3.1 innings of plate appearances.

The same two teams meet in the second game of a three game series on Saturday night at Impact Field. The Saints send RHP Jake Esch (3-1, 5.26) to the mound against Dogs LHP Scott Barnes (0-0, 4.15). The game can be heard on Alt 93.3 FM.

Check out the St. Paul Saints Statistics

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

American Association Stories from June 15, 2018


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