AA St. Paul Saints

Saints Beat Up By X'2 12-2, Playoff Hopes Take Hit

Published on August 29, 2009 under American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


ST. PAUL, MN - The St. Paul Saints could be eliminated from playoff contention before they even take the field Sunday night by virtue of their 12-2 loss on Saturday night to the Sioux City Explorers at Midway Stadium in front of 5,685.

With the Wichita Wingnuts losing to the Grand Prairie AirHogs and the Lincoln Saltdogs defeating the Sioux Falls Canaries it means the Saints trail both the Saltdogs and Wingnuts by a 1.0 with one to go. If the Saltdogs win their 2:05 p.m. game on Sunday it means they will finish no worse than tied for first with the first half champion Wingnuts, thus giving the Saltdogs the second half championship.

On Saturday evening the Saints started off in a 3-0 hole after the top of the first inning as Saints starter Reed Dickert walked the first two hitters in the inning. With two outs Dickert gave up an RBI single to Greg Stevens which was followed by a two-run single from Norm Hutchins.

The Saints had a chance in the bottom of the first to cut into the lead. They loaded the bases with one out and Jacob Butler hit a fly ball to center which was caught. Josh Alley tagged from third and Brent Krause tagged from second. Krause was thrown out at third before Alley scored.

The Explorers used that as momentum the rest of the way plating two more runs in the third inning with two outs. Nick McCoola walked, moved to second on a single from Jason Colson and scored on Derek Schermerhorn's single. Boomer Berry followed with an RBI single of his own to make it 5-0.

Saints starter Dickert struggled going 5.2 innings allowing nine runs on 10 hits while walking seven and striking out four.

The Explorers were led by Norm Hutchins who went 3-6 with five RBI and a run scored, while the Saints scored both their runs in eighth inning on a two-run double from Jason Cooper who went 2-3 with a double, two RBI and a run scored.

The playoff scenario is as follows:

If Lincoln wins, they are in.

If St. Paul wins AND Lincoln loses AND Wichita wins, SAINTS WIN WILD CARD.

If St. Paul wins AND Lincoln loses AND Wichita loses, SAINTS PLAY ONE-GAME PLAYOFF MONDAY AT LINCOLN FOR DIVISION.

If St. Paul loses AND Lincoln loses AND Wichita wins, SAINTS PLAY ONE-GAME PLAYOFF MONDAY AT LINCOLN FOR WILD CARD.

If St. Paul loses AND Lincoln loses AND Wichita loses, Lincoln wins division.

The Saints and Explorers play the final game of the four game series on Sunday evening at 7:05 p.m. at Midway Stadium. The Saints send RHP Tom Buske (4-5, 4.15) to the mound agains Explorers LHP Trevor Fox (6-4, 3.42). It is Fan Appreciation Night with postgame fireworks. The game can be seen on the Saints Cable Network (check saintsbaseball.com for the channel in your area) and can be heard live on Relevant Radio 1330.

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American Association Stories from August 29, 2009


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