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St. Paul Saints

Saints Bullpen Battered by T-Bones in 10-7 Loss

July 24, 2012 - American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


KANSAS CITY, KS (July 24, 2012) - Kyle Ruwe made his first start for the St. Paul Saints and first start of the season on Tuesday night at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. He dazzled for 6.0 innings, unfortunately, his new teammates couldn't hold the lead for him as the Kansas City T-Bones scored eight runs in the seventh and eighth innings as the Saints lost 10-7.

For the fifth time this season the Saints lost a game in which they led going into the eighth inning. With the Saints leading 6-2 going to the bottom of the seventh and reliever Reid Mahon in the game the T-Bones got to within a run. Justin Bass led off with a single and Brandon Jones doubled him to third. Lee Cruz' sacrifice fly made it 6-3. Ray Sadler knocked home a run with a single to cut the Saints lead to 6-4. Trevor Coleman followed with a single to put runners at the corners and Enrique Cruz made it 6-5 with a single. Mahon got out of the inning with a double play, but the momentum had shifted to the T-Bones.

The Saints tacked on what looked to be a huge insurance run in the top of the eighth. Ole Sheldon led off the inning with a walk and moved to third on a single by Jose Hernandez. Sean Tole came out of the bullpen and struck out the first two men he faced. A passed ball, however, scored Sheldon to give the Saints a 7-5 lead.

In the bottom of the eighth the Saints used three pitchers, but none of them could get the job done. Chris Odegaard began the inning by getting the first hitter to ground out, but then the onslaught began. Gus Milner singled to center and Justin Bass doubled him to third. Odegaard left the game for lefty Kyle Carr. He gave up a two-run single to the lefty Jones tying the game at seven. Carr then walked Lee Cruz and left the game for Dustin Klabunde. The first batter he faced, Ray Sadler, reached on an error by third baseman Tanner Townsend to load the bases. Coleman walked to force in a run and give the T-Bones their first lead of the night at 8-7. Enrique Cruz finished the scoring with a two-run single. The bullpen went 2.0 innings allowing eight runs (seven earned) on nine hits.

It ruined a great night by Ruwe who was signed before the game. The veteran out of Sunrise, FL hadn't pitched this season and was staying in shape at home in hopes of someone calling him. He got the call and answered for the Saints. He made two mistakes, two solo homers, but went 6.0 innings allowing seven hits while walking three and striking out one.

The Saints offense gave Ruwe a 4-0 lead in the third when they loaded the bases and Willie Cabrera cleared them with a double to left-center. Ole Sheldon followed with an RBI single.

With the Saints up 4-1 in the fifth Benji Johnson led off with a double and with two outs Cabrera doubled him home to make it 5-1 Saints. Cabrera left the game on the double with an injury. He finished the night 2-3 with two doubles and four RBI. Sheldon followed that with a double to make it 6-1, but it wouldn't be a large enough lead.

The same two teams meet on Wednesday night at CommunityAmeriaca Ballpark in game two of the three game series at 7:05 p.m. The Saints send RHP Anthony Claggett (4-2, 6.67) to the mound against T-Bones RHP Shaun Garceau (6-1, 1.96). The game can be heard on Club 1220 KLBB.

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