Lewis Blasts Two More Homers, Saints Hang on for Third Straight Win, 7-6
IL St. Paul Saints

Lewis Blasts Two More Homers, Saints Hang on for Third Straight Win, 7-6

Published on June 2, 2026 under International League (IL)
St. Paul Saints News Release


ST. PAUL, MN - Royce Lewis continues to pepper fans with souvenirs over the outfield wall. For the second time in seven games Lewis had a two homer game and the St. Paul Saints avoided disaster as they hung on to win 7-6 over the Indianapolis Indians on Tuesday night at CHS Field in front of 4,452.

Kaelen Culpepper got things started when he led off the bottom of the first inning with a blast to left, his 13th of the season, giving the Saints a 1-0 lead. It was the sixth home run by Culpepper to lead off the game for the Saints, tied for the most in baseball.

The long ball was a big part of the Saints offense in the third. Ben Ross led off with a walk and with two outs Hendry Mendez extended his on base streak to 22 with an infield single to first, putting runners at first and second. Lewis then unloaded on a three-run homer to left, his first of the night, eighth of the season, and sixth since being optioned, making it 4-0. The home run had a 114.1 mph exit velocity, the second hardest hit ball of his career.

Matt Wallner got things started in the fourth with a double into right-center, took third on a single to right by Gabby Gonzalez, his 13th consecutive game with a hit, and scored on a sacrifice fly from Aaron Sabato putting the Saints up 5-0.

For the fifth consecutive inning the Saints got the leadoff man on when Culpepper singled to center. He finished the night 2-4 with a home run, RBI, two runs scored, and a stolen base. He stole second and Mendez walked. Lewis hit one deep to center, but Billy Cook made a leaping catch to rob him of extra bases as both runners tagged up. Kyler Fedko's sacrifice line out to left scored Culpepper giving the Saints a 6-0 lead.

The Saints 21-inning scoreless streak ended when Termarr Johnson hit a one out solo homer to left in the sixth, his second of the season, cutting the lead to 6-1.

Lewis came calling again in the seventh with a solo shot to left, his second of the night, ninth of the season, and seventh since being optioned, upping the lead to 7-1.

Things unraveled for the Saints in the eighth as the Indians got to within one. They loaded the bases with the first three hitters on a single from Nick Yorke, a walk to Billy Cook, and a single by Esmerlyn Valdez. Davis Wendzel then unloaded on one to left for a grand slam, his eighth of the season, getting the Indians to within 7-5. With two outs pinch hitter Ronny Simon singled to left, stole second, and scored when Shawn Ross hit a grounder to short and Culpepper's throw was dropped by Gonzalez at first for an error, making it 7-6.

Raul Brito locked it down in the ninth. After getting the first two hitters, he walked Esmerlyn Valdez. He advanced to second on a wild pitch, but a pop out by Wendzel ended the game.

The same two teams meet in game two of a six-game series on Wednesday afternoon at 1:07 p.m. The Saints send RHP Ryan Gallagher (1-1, 7.04) to the mound and the Indians are TBA. The game can be seen on the CW Twin Cities, MLB.TV, MLB+, and the Bally Sports Live app, and heard on KFAN Plus, 96.7 FM, all presented by Northland Ford Dealers.

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International League Stories from June 2, 2026


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