AA St. Paul Saints

Drama Unfolds as Saints Lower Magic Number to Two in 4-3 Win

Published on August 22, 2007 under American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


ST. PAUL, MN (August 22, 2007) - Call it the prequel to what could be a possible playoff match up between two rivals as the St. Paul Saints lowered their magic number to two with a dramatic 4-3 victory over the Lincoln Saltdogs on Wednesday night at Midway Stadium in front of 7,765.

With the Saints trailing it 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh and one on and two outs Derrick White stepped to the plate. The Saltdogs countered with righty Mark Roberts who promptly gave up a two-run homer to White, his third of the season.

The Saints carried the lead into the ninth and the dramatic ending ensued. Tony Garcia led off with a single to left off of Saints closer Tony Pierce. After a strikeout of Bryan Warner, Pierce gave up a single to Brett Cooley, which put runners at first and second. Josh Patton then hit a grounder to first in which Fernando Valenzuela Jr. fielded, fired to second for the first out and the relay throw to first forced Pierce to go down to his stomach, but he kept his foot on the bag. After a second or two of a delay first base umpire Lance Schoenwald ruled Patton was out.

The Saints took the early 1-0 lead in the first inning when Scooter Jordan walked, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from Demetrius Heath and scored on an RBI double from White. He finished the night 3-4 with three RBI and a run scored.

The Saltdogs tied it in the third when Seth Pietsch delivered an RBI double.

The Saltdogs took a 2-1 lead in the fourth when Josh Patton and Jay Yaconetti led off with back-to-back singles. Ross McCoy tried to sacrifice, but his bunt was caught by Valenzuela at first. His throw to first, however, went down the right field line allowing Patton to score from second.

The Saints tied it in the bottom of the inning when Marcel Longmire hit a liner just over the left field wall. Longmire stopped at second as the ball bounced back in play, but after the umpires talked it over it was ruled a homerun, his 16th of the season.

The Saltdogs took their final lead of the game in the sixth when Yaconetti doubled and scored on a single from McCoy.

The Saints magic number to win the North Division is two with three games to go. Any combination of Saints victories or Sioux City Explorers losses over the next three games totaling two advances the Saints to the playoffs.

The Saints head to Sioux Falls Stadium Thursday night for a 7:05 p.m. game against the Sioux Falls Canaries. The Saints send RHP Justin Lord (4-4, 4.13) to the mound. The game can be heard on KBGY 107.5 FM.

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American Association Stories from August 22, 2007


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