AA St. Paul Saints

Saints Become Second American Association Franchise Ever with Four 10 Game Winners in a Season

Published on August 26, 2015 under American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


WICHITA, KS (August 26, 2015) - Robert Coe wasn't at his best on Wednesday night, but his offense helped him out at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. With an 11-8 victory over the Wichita Wingnuts Robert Coe notched his 10th victory of the season joining Dustin Crenshaw (13), Kramer Sneed (13) and Jeff Shields (12) as 10 game winners becoming just the second American Association franchise to ever accomplish the feat. The only other was the 2008 Sioux Falls Canaries.

The Saints jumped all over Wingnuts starter Jason Van Skike in the first with a six spot. They loaded the bases on a single by Willie Argo, a walk to Vinny DiFazio and a single by Angleo Songco. Ian Gac cleared the bases with a double to left-center to make it 3-0. Gac extended his hitting streak to 12 games. Ryan Lashley followed with a two-run homer to left, his fourth of the season, to make it 5-0. With two outs Anthony Phillips singled and scored on Sam Maus' RBI double to make it 6-0.

The Wingnuts, however, have a deep lineup and it showed in the first when former Major Leaguer, and new signee, Brent Clevlen singled. Former Major Leaguer Andy LaRoche followed with a two-run homer to left, his fifth of the season, to make it 6-2.

In the second the Saints added a run when DiFazio doubled and Gac doubled him home to make it 7-2. Gac finished the night 2-4 with two doubles, four RBI and a run scored.

In the bottom of the inning Harrison Kain hit a solo homer, his sixth of the season, to make it 7-3. Coe lasted 5.0 innings allowing five runs on eight hits while walking two and striking out four.

With the Saints leading 7-5 in the sixth Phillips led off with a double and, with two outs, Argo blasted a two-run homer to left, his second in as many games and 11th of the season to make it 9-5.

With Saints reliever Dylan Chavez on the mound in the sixth Kain led off with an infield single to third. With one out Leo Vargas walked. A wild pitch moved the runners up and with the count 2-2 on Nick Van Stratten Chavez was pulled for reliever Mike Zouzalik. He got Van Stratten to pop out, but David Espinosa doubled home a pair to make it 9-7. Clevlen followed with an RBI single to make it 9-8, but Zouzalik struck out LaRoche to end the inning.

In the eighth Argo came calling again after Alonzo Harris singled, Argo hit another two-run homer, his second of the game and 12th of the season to make it 11-8. Argo went 3-5 with two homers, four RBI and three runs scored. He tied the Saints single-season franchise record with 76 runs (Adam Frost, 2011).

Zouzalik went a season high 2.2 innings of relief allowing one run on three hits while walking one and striking out three.

Ryan Rodebaugh, a night after taking the loss, picked up his league leading 23rd save with a scoreless ninth.

The Saints begin a four game series against the Kansas City T-Bones at CommunityAmerica Ballpark on Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. The Saints send RHP Danny Gutierrez (1-3, 3.38) to the mound while the T-Bones are TBA. The game can be heard on Club 1220 KLBB.

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American Association Stories from August 26, 2015


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