AA St. Paul Saints

Saints Battery Does the Job in 7-3 Win

Published on July 16, 2011 under American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


SIOUX CITY, IA - It was a night for the pitcher and catcher of the St. Paul Saints as both set career highs. Starter Alberto Rolon went a career high 8.0 innings and catcher Alex Garabedian set a career high with five RBI in a 7-3 victory over the Sioux City Explorers on Saturday night at Lewis and Clark Park.

The Saints needed a good, strong start and they got it from Rolon. He did something no Saints starter had done since June 29 and that's not allow a run in the first three innings of the game. As a matter of fact Rolon didn't allow a run in his first four innings of work. His offense got him all he would need in the top of the fourth inning.

Ole Sheldon led off the inning with a double and moved to third on a wild pitch. Jason Cooper then extended his hitting streak to nine games and his RBI streak to six with a single to right scoring Sheldon, giving the Saints a 1-0 lead. After Brandon Tripp reached on a fielder's choice and Richard Mercado singled to put runners at the corners Jonathan Van Every came to the plate. He flew out to left, but Mercado tagged and went to second. With Garabedian at the plate and first base open and .136 hitter Steve Mays on deck the Explorers elected to pitch to Garabedian. He smashed a three-run homer to left, his second of the season, giving the Saints a 4-0 lead.

The Explorers got one in the fifth with two outs. Dustin Jones singled and moved to second on a wild pitch. Wally Backman Jr. who would finish the game 5-5 with three RBI, drove in his first run with a single to left-center, to make it 5-1.

The Saints didn't waste any time answering getting a run in the sixth as Cooper walked and moved to second on a single. Richard Mercado sacrificed the runners and Van Every was walked intentionally to load the bases. Garabedian then hit a sacrifice fly to make it 6-1. He would add another sac fly in the eighth and finished the night 1-2 with five RBI and a run scored.

Rolon left after 8.0 innings allowing two runs (one earned) on nine hits while walking one and striking out five and he gave way to Robert Coe in the ninth with a five run lead. Coe gave up a lead off single to TJ Bohn, but then got Ryan Priddy to fly out. With one out Brian Bistagne hit a grounder to third, but Ronnie Bourquin's throw to second went into right field allowing Bohn to advance to third. Dustin Jones flew out and Backman Jr. knocked home Bohn to make it a four run game. Coe left the game for Kyle Foster to face Derek Schermerhorn. Schermerhorn hit a sinking liner to right that Tripp, for the second straight night, ended the game on a spectacular diving grab.

The same two teams meet Sunday evening at 6:05 p.m. at Lewis and Clark Park. The Saints send LHP Edwin Walker (3-3, 4.33) to the mound against RHP Nick Schumacher (5-4, 2.52). The game can be heard live on Relevant Radio 1330.

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American Association Stories from July 16, 2011


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