AA St. Paul Saints

Saints Can't Close Deal, Lose 8-7 on Walk off to RailCats

June 23, 2013 - American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


GARY, IN (June 23, 2013) - Just like Friday night the St. Paul Saints carried a lead into the bottom of the ninth. Just like Friday night closer Matt Meyer retired the first two hitters he faced. Just like Friday night Meyer needed one more strike to end the game. And just like Friday night the Saints lost in a walk off, this time in the bottom of the ninth, 8-7 to the Gary SouthShore Railcats on a walk off two-run single by Cristian Guerrero at U.S. Steel Yard on Sunday afternoon.

With the Saints leading 7-6 in the bottom of the ninth Meyer was brought on to close the ninth. He got Christian Vitters to fly out and Chase Tucker to strike out. Meyer then had Adam Klein 1-2, but walked him. Meyer then got Mike Massaro into a 2-2 count, but on a 3-2 pitch he singled through the left side to put runners at first and second. A wild pitch advanced the runners and then on a 2-1 pitch Cristian Guerrero singled up the middle scoring both runs for the game winner.

The loss is the season high fourth straight for the Saints, who were swept in a four game series by the Railcats. It is the first time the Saints have been swept in a four game series since June 11-13 (June 11 was a double header) at home against the Winnipeg Goldeyes and the first time they've been swept on the road in a four game series since June 21-24 at the Sioux City Explorers.

The Saints trailed 6-3 after four innings, but fought back to take the lead. In the fifth Brandon Tripp hit an opposite field solo homer to left, his 10th of the season, to cut the deficit to 6-4.

In the seventh the Saints loaded the bases with one out when Willie Cabrera reached on an infield single, Tripp walked and Jose Hernandez singled to left. Dwight Childs' groundout to first scored Cabrera to make it 6-5.

In the eighth the Saints took the lead and got the rally started with two outs. Brad Boyer started it with a single to center, Cabrera doubled him to third and Tripp was intentionally walked to load the bases. Hernandez lined a double to center scoring two runs, giving the Saints a 7-6 lead, as Tripp was thrown out trying to go to third to end the inning.

Four different Saints players collected three hits: Boyer, Cabrera, Tripp and Hernandez with Cabrera, Tripp and Hernandez each collecting two RBI.

The Saints head home for a three game series against the Lincoln Saltdogs on Monday night at 7:05 p.m. The Saints send RHP Mark Hamburger (1-2, 5.19) against Saltdogs RHP Pete Parise (3-3, 3.43). It is Hipster Night at the ballpark. The game can be heard on Club 1220 AM and in the ballpark on 87.9 FM.

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