AA St. Paul Saints

More Midway Magic as Saints Get Two-Run Pinch Hit Homer for 8-7 Win

Published on July 10, 2011 under American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


ST. PAUL, MN - Each time the St. Paul Saints look like they are down and out they find a way to win as they spotted the Gary SouthShore Railcats a five run lead and got a dramatic two-run, pinch hit homer from Alex Garabedian in the eighth to come from behind and win 8-7 on Sunday afternoon at Midway Stadium in front of 4,753.

With the Saints trailing 7-5 in the eighth Jason Cooper led off with a single to left-center. Richard Mercado's ground out moved Cooper to second and Brandon Tripp dropped a single into left scoring Cooper to make it 7-6. With Jonathan Van Every at the plate and the count 3-1, Tripp attempted to steal second, but was thrown out as Van Every swung and missed. On the next pitch Van Every singled to right-center. Garabedian then pinch hit for Jake Krause and promptly hit a two-run homer over the left-center field wall to give the Saints their first lead of the game. It was Garabedian's first homer of the season.

In the ninth closer Robert Manuel locked down the save by striking out three and allowing one hit, to pick up his 11th save of the season.

The day didn't start off well for the Saints, who trailed 5-0 after just a half inning of play. Adam Klein led off for the Railcats with a single and Mike Massaro walked. Brad Boyer doubled home Klein to make it 1-0. A wild pitch scored Massaro to make it 2-0. Cristian Guerrero walked and Toddrick Johnson's single scored Boyer and an errant throw by Tripp in right allowed Guerrero to score and sent Johnson to third making it 4-0. A sacrifice fly by Mike Rohde finished off the scoring.

The Saints answered in the second with the long ball. Mercado led off with a single and Tripp smoked a two-run homer to right, his eighth of the season to make it 5-2. Van Every came up next and hit a solo shot to right, his first of the day and 12th of the season, to make it 5-3.

The Railcats made it 6-3 in the third when Johnson hit a solo homer to right, his second of the season.

In the sixth the Railcats scored their final run when Chris Carrara doubled and Klein followed with an RBI double to make it 7-3.

In the bottom of the sixth the Saints pulled to within two when Tripp was hit by a pitch and Van Every hit his second of the game, a two-run homer to right, his 13th of the season, to make it 7-5. He finished the game 4-4 with two homers, three RBI and three runs scored.

Not only did Van Every hit two homers he also robbed one. With the Saints down 7-5 in the top of the seventh and two outs Craig Maddox sent a high fly to straight away center that Van Every went back on, jumped up and snagged the ball as it was ready to go over the wall.

The Saints welcome in the Winnipeg Goldeyes into town for a four game series beginning with a double header on Monday evening at 6:05 p.m. The Saints send RHP Alberto Rolon (5-2, 3.86) in game one and are TBA in game two. We salute Jack Lalanne with the World's Largest Workout presented by 5 Eyewitness News. Game two will begin approximately 25 minutes at the conclusion of game one and both games are scheduled for seven innings and can be heard live on Relevant Radio 1330.

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American Association Stories from July 10, 2011


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