
Dobnak Dominates, Saints Lead from Start to Finish in 5-2 Win Over Storm Chasers
July 25, 2024 - International League (IL)
St. Paul Saints News Release
ST. PAUL, MN - All season long Randy Dobnak has shown flashes of his 2019 self. Since June 15, however, he's shown more than flashes. He entered play on Thursday night as one of the best pitchers in the International League, third in strikeouts and fourth in ERA. Since June 15, however, he's second in the league in ERA (1.78) trailing only Alan Winans of Gwinnett and third in strikeouts. He continued his hot streak against the Omaha Storm Chasers at CHS Field twirling 7.0+ impressive innings, tying the single-season franchise record with nine wins in a 5-2 victory in front of 8,527.
Dobnak allowed a leadoff single to John Rave in the first, he got greedy and tried to turn it into a double, but Dalton Shuffield threw him out. Dobnak got a foul out and strikeout to end the inning.
After a leadoff single in the second, Dobnak retired the next seven men he faced including striking out the side looking in the second.
The Saints wasted little time jumping on top in the first. DaShawn Keirsey Jr. led off the inning with a single off the glove of pitcher Andrew Hoffman. Jose Miranda drew a walk. After a double steal put runners at second and third, Alex Isola ripped a one out RBI single into right making it 1-0. After a failed safety squeeze erased Miranda at third, Patrick Winkel made it 2-0 with an RBI single to right.
Dalton Shuffield led off the second inning with a triple to center and scored on a wild pitch increasing the Saints lead to 3-0.
Dobnak gave up a one out double to CJ Alexander in the fourth followed by an infield single to Tyler Gentry putting runners at first and second. Dobnak got out of the inning with a double-play ground out.
The Major League rehabber helped the Saints add on another run in the bottom of the fourth. With two outs Keirsey Jr. was hit by a pitch, advanced to second on an errant pickoff attempt, and scored on Jose Miranda's double to right making it 4-0. Miranda finished the night 1-2 with a double, RBI, and two walks.
The lone run against Dobnak came in the eighth. He was attempting to become the fourth pitcher in franchise history to record an out in the eighth, but he hit the first two batters he faced. Dobnak departed for reliever Ronny Henriquez. He got Nate Eaton to ground into a fielder's choice as the Saints erased the runner at second. Henriquez walked Alexander to load the bases, but struck out Gentry. With two outs and the bases loaded Nick Pratto walked forcing in a run making it 5-1. Dobnak went 7.0+ innings allowing one run on seven hits while not walking anyone and striking out five. He threw 94 pitches, 61 for strikes. His ninth win of the season tied him with Caleb Boushley (2024) and Chandler Shepherd (2021).
The Storm Chasers tried to make it interesting in the ninth getting an RBI double from Rave, but Hobie Harris left the tying run in the on deck circle by getting Eaton to fly out to right ending the game.
The same two teams meet in game four of a six-game series on Friday night at CHS Field at 7:07 p.m. The Saints send RHP Adam Plutko (4-1, 4.44) to the mound against Storm Chasers RHP Chandler Champlain (1-3, 6.70). The game can be seen on the Saints Broadcast Network, cable access channels in and around the Twin Cities, MLB.TV, MiLB.TV, and the Bally Live app, and heard on KFAN Plus, 96.7 FM.
• Discuss this story on the International League message board...
International League Stories from July 25, 2024
- Burrows Sharp in Return as Indians Win Third in a Row, 7-2 - Indianapolis Indians
- I-Cubs Surrender Third Straight Loss to Indians - Iowa Cubs
- Dobnak Dominates, Saints Lead from Start to Finish in 5-2 Win Over Storm Chasers - St. Paul Saints
- Big Fourth Inning Drives Sounds Over Knights - Nashville Sounds
- Stripers Ride Strong Bullpen Performance, Three-Run Eighth to 6-2 Win Over Durham - Gwinnett Stripers
- Knights Fall to Sounds on Thursday, 6-5 - Charlotte Knights
- Lockhart, Bullpen Dice Bats for Combined Shutout - Toledo Mud Hens
- Memphis Offense Explodes Early, Bullpen Hangs on Late in Win Over Columbus - Memphis Redbirds
- Stripers Hold Off Bulls, 6-2 - Durham Bulls
- Bullpen Squanders Early Lead in WooSox 7-2 Loss to RailRiders - Worcester Red Sox
- Bisons Win Third Straight with 6-4 Win Against Syracuse - Buffalo Bisons
- Bats Shut out 4-0 in Toledo - Louisville Bats
- Warren Keeps RailRiders in it before Bats Erupt in Seventh - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Syracuse Falls Short in 6-4 Loss at Buffalo on Thursday Night - Syracuse Mets
- July 25 Game Notes: Iowa Cubs vs. Indianapolis Indians - Iowa Cubs
- Scott Kingery Homers Twice as 'Pigs Surge Late to Top Red Wings - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Rochester Red Wings Post-Game Notes - 7.25 - Rochester Red Wings
- SWB Game Notes - July 25 - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Burdi Scheduled to Rehab with SWB - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Bats Spread Joy, Smiles in Visit to Norton Children's Hospital - Louisville Bats
- Tidewater Baseball Shrine to Induct Three in 2024 Class - Norfolk Tides
- Brito's Late Inning Blast Powers Clip Show to Win - Columbus Clippers
- Stripers Homestand Highlights: Princesses & Pirates Take over Coolray Field on August 2 - Gwinnett Stripers
- Jacksonville and Norfolk Postponed Thursday - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Thursday Afternoon's Game vs. Jacksonville Postponed - Norfolk Tides
- Rochester Red Wings Game Notes - July 25 vs. Lehigh Valley - Rochester Red Wings
- Two Big Innings Power IronPigs over Red Wings - Rochester Red Wings
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.
Other Recent St. Paul Saints Stories
- Saints Rained out for Third Time this Season, Doubleheader Friday in Columbus
- Saints and BCSG 360 to Host Twin Cities Diamond Classic Featuring Prominent HBCU Programs at CHS Field May 15-16
- Saints Incredible Scoreless Inning Streak Ends at 25, Drop First Game of Year 2-0
- Saints Make History with Second Straight Shutout, 5-0 over Clippers
- Weather Part Deux: Saints and Indianapolis Postponed for Second Consecutive Day

