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IL St. Paul Saints

Dobnak Carries No-Hitter into Sixth, But Saints Doubled up by Clippers 6-3

August 3, 2023 - International League (IL)
St. Paul Saints News Release


COLUMBUS, OH - Randy Dobnak retired the first 10 men he faced, carried a no-hitter into the sixth, but the St. Paul Saints offense couldn't muster much against Columbus Clippers starter Jared Eickhoff, who entered the game with a 7.88 ERA, in a 6-3 loss on Thursday afternoon at Huntington Park. The loss drops the Saints to 17-13 in the second half.

Dobnak was on cruise control through the first three innings not allowing a baserunner and striking out four of the ninth hitters he faced.

The Saints grabbed the lead in the third when Andrew Stevenson roped a one out triple into the right field corner and that was followed by an RBI double to left-center from Anthony Prato making it 1-0.

Dobnak danced around two walks in the fourth and two more in the fifth, but still didn't allow a hit and kept the Clippers off the board.

Dobnak finally gave up a hit in the sixth inning. Bryan Lavastida led off with a check swing slow roller to third that Prato barehanded, but his throw to first was just late. George Valera followed with a single to center, and Zach Collins singled to right. The throw from Mark Contreras to the cutoff man Jair Camargo, glanced off Camargo into foul territory and the throwing error scored Lavastida tying the game at one. Dobnak departed for reliever Ronny Henriquez. After a flyout, Jose Tena doubled off the wall in left, scoring both runs putting the Clippers up 3-1. Dobnak went 5.0+ innings allowing three runs on four hits while walking four and striking out seven.

The Clippers added a couple of insurance runs in the seventh. Daniel Schneeman led off with a double and that was followed by an infield single from Lavastida putting runners at first and second. A groundout moved the runners up to second and third. With the infield in, Collins hit a grounder to second, but Austin Martin's throw home was on the first base side and Schneeman slid in safely putting the Clippers up 4-1. Jhonkensy Noel's sacrifice fly increased the lead to 5-1.

In the eighth, the Saints grabbed two back when, with one out, Gilberto Celestino walked and Camargo followed with a two-run blast to left, his 16th of the season, cutting the deficit to 5-3. Camargo finished 2-4 with a double, home run, two RBI, and a run scored.

For the first time in 15 relief appearances to start his Saints career, Michael Boyle allowed a run. The Clippers started the inning with back-to-back singles by Sandy León and Raynel Delgado putting runners at first and second. After a strikeout and a tapper back to the mound that moved the runners to second and third, Boyle intentionally walked Lavastida. On a 3-2 pitch, Boyle just missed outside for ball four forcing in a run giving the Clippers a 6-3 lead. Boyle's scoreless streak ended at 14.1 innings pitched. The same two teams meet in game four of a six-game series at Huntington Park on Friday night at 6:05 p.m. (CT). The Saints send LHP Blayne Enlow (2-4, 10.13) to the mound against Clippers LHP Joey Cantillo (2-2, 5.40). The game can be heard on KFAN Plus, 96.7 FM.

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