AA St. Paul Saints

Rain Plays A Role Again, but Saints Aren\'t Washed Away in 9-8 Win

Published on August 13, 2010 under American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


The St. Paul Saints were cruising their way to a victory until the rain came and they squandered a five run lead following an hour and ten minute delay, but in the end they had enough to defeat the Sioux City Explorers 9-8 on Thursday night at Midway Stadium in front of 5,405.

With the Saints leading 6-1 rain halted play in the top of the sixth inning. After the rain delay the Saints were forced to go to their bullpen and washed out a dominant performance by starter Zach Peterson. He went 5.0 innings allowing two runs on two hits while striking out three. When play resumed reliever Frank Viola III was the recipient of bad luck. With a runner at first Viola hit Eric Williams. A ground out moved the runners to second and third. Ray Serrano's bloop single scored Darrick Hale to make it 6-2. Jacob Cruz' check swing single to left scored Williams to make it 6-3. Kent Sakamoto was hit by a pitch to load the bases and Steve Pearson's RBI ground out made it 6-4. A wild pitch scored Sakamoto to make it 6-5 and an infield single by Tim Alberts tied the game at six.

Instead of hanging their heads the Saints answered in the bottom of the sixth with Steve Butler started it with a hustle double to left-center. Josh Alley walked and Chad Gabriel knocked in two with a triple to right-center. He scored on a sacrifice fly by Ole Sheldon.

The Explorers made it interesting in the eighth when Alberts singled and Ernie Banks followed with a walk. An RBI single by Williams made it 9-7 and Banks scored on a wild pitch to make it a one run game.

Saints closer Matt Meyer, however, closed it out by striking out two in the ninth and getting pinch hitter Matt Kramer to ground out with the tying run at first for his ninth save of the season.

Prior to the rain delay the only run Peterson gave up was a solo homer to Cruz, his first of the season putting the Explorers up 1-0 in the second..

The Saints took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the inning on a two-run homer from Josh Burrus, his second of the season.

In the third Alley singled and moved to second on a single from Gabriel. A fielding error by shortstop Hale allowed Ole Sheldon to reach and load the bases. Jason Cooper walked with the bases loaded forcing in a run and making it 3-1. Brent Krause tied the franchise record for RBI when he singled to center. He now has 204 in his Saints career tying David Kennedy's (1994, 97-99) franchise record. Burrus' fielder's choice scored the final run of the inning to make it 5-1.

Cooper set the franchise record for doubles in a season with his 31st when he led off the fifth with a double to left. He surpassed Scott Bryant (1997) and Chad Ehrnsberger's (2005) franchise record of 30. He scored on a Burrus single to make it 6-1.

The Saints welcome in the Lincoln Saltdogs for a three game series on Friday evening at 7:05 p.m. at Midway Stadium. It is Minnetonka Shore Night presented by Butter Kernel and S&W Beans. Bring your nonperishable goods to the stadium for our annual Canned Food Drive. The game can be seen on the Saints Cable Network (check saintsbaseball.com for the channel in your area) and heard on Relevant Radio 1330.

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American Association Stories from August 13, 2010


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