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AA St. Paul Saints

Saints Blank X's to Remain Perfect on Season, Win 6-0

May 13, 2008 - American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


SIOUX CITY, IA (May 13, 2008) - Nothing was going to keep the St. Paul Saints from staying perfect in 2008. Not the bases loaded jams. Not the wind blowing out to right. Not the walks. The Saints earned their first shutout of the season 6-0 over the Sioux City Explorers at Lewis and Clark Park to improve to 5-0.

Despite struggling with his control in the first, Saints starter Luis Villarreal did more than enough to silence the Explorers. Villarreal walked the bases loaded in the first, but got Alex Llanos to line out to left to end the inning.

In the fifth Villarreal gave up his first hit of the game to Chad Gabriel. After two walks loaded the bases Villarreal got Nick McCoola to ground into a fielder's choice to end the inning. Villarreal went 5.0 shutout innings allowing one hit while walking five and striking out seven.

The bullpen did the rest with Kyle Foster and Mike Bille working the final 4.0 innings allowing four hits while striking out four. The Saints bullpen has given up just one run in 21.1 innings pitched.

The Saints got all the runs they needed in the first inning when they cashed in on an Explorers mistake in the first. Brent Krause reached on shortstop Ray Navarro's throwing error. Krause moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on Marcel Longmire's RBI double for a 1-0 lead.

In the second, Jason Colson walked and with one out Ben Thomas singled him to third. Julius Thames got his first RBI of the season with a single to center. After Scooter Jordan walked to load the bases Brian Sprout singled home two giving the Saints a 4-0 lead.

With the score 5-0 in the eighth Kevin Sullivan clubbed his second homer over the season, a solo shot over the right field wall for the final tally.

The Saints and Explorers meet in game two of the series on Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. The Saints send RHP Justin Lord (1-0, 1.42) to the mound against Explorers RHP Nick Singleton (0-0, 3.00). The game can be heard on Relevant Radio 1330.

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American Association Stories from May 13, 2008


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