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AA St. Paul Saints

Saints Continue Offensive Onslaught in 12-4 Win over Canaries

June 11, 2016 - American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


SIOUX FALLS, SD - And then there was one. One final game on the longest roadtrip in franchise history and the Saints are making sure they close strong. For the second consecutive night they scored double-digit runs as they pounded out 16 hits against the Sioux Falls Canaries in a 12-4 victory on Saturday night at Sioux Falls Stadium. They have scored 30 runs and have 34 hits in their last two games. The Saints improved to 16-8 on the season, best record in the American Association, and assured themselves of a winning record on the roadtrip improving to 8-5.

The bottom of the order produced for the Saints, but the hottest hitter in the league got the Saints on the board first in the third. The ninth hitter Brady Burzynski led off the inning with a walk. With one out Breland Almadova reached on a bunt single. Three batters later with the bases loaded Tony Thomas dropped an RBI single into left field scoring Burzynski. Nate Hanson tried to score from second on the play, but was thrown out to end the inning. Thomas extended his hitting streak to 23 games, the second longest in franchise history. The only hitting streak that is longer is Cory Harris' 28 game streak from May 27-June 25, 2003.

The Saints added two more in the fourth as the bottom of the order started its big night. Willie Argo led off with a double and Tanner Vavra reached on a bunt single to put runners at the corners. Aaron Gretz made it 2-0 with an RBI single. With one out Alonzo Harris made it 3-0 with a sacrifice fly.

With the Saints leading 3-1 in the sixth they blew the game wide open. It once again started with Argo who singled to center. Vavra sacrificed him to second and Gretz made it 4-1 with an RBI double to right. Burzynski singled to right that advanced Gretz to third. On a hit and run Harris singled home Gretz and Burzynski went to third to make it 5-1. On the first pitch to Almadova, Harris took off and Almadova hit a liner right where the second was playing, but he went to cover the bag and the single scored Burzynski while moving Harris to third making it 6-1. The two speedsters pulled off a double steal with Almadova stealing second. On the throw down Harris broke for home and the return throw went to the backstop as Harris stole home. Almadova raced towards third and headed home on the two base error to make it 8-1. Almadova finished the night 3-6 with an RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base.

The Saints added four more in the eighth when Almadova led off with an infield single to short. Back-to-back walks loaded the bases and, with one out, Argo doubled home two to make it 10-1. Argo went 3-4, with a double, two RBI and three runs scored. Back-to-back RBI singles by Vavra and Gretz made it 12-1. Gretz finished the night with a career high four hits going 4-5 with a double, a career high three RBI and a run scored.

In all, the bottom four in the order were a combined 10-16 with five RBI and seven run scored.

Not to be outdone starter John Straka was masterful in his 7.0 innings of work. The lone run he gave up came in the fourth on a two out RBI single to Ozney Guillen. Straka went 7.0 innings allowing one run on four hits while walking one and striking out four.

The Saints complete the 14 game roadtrip on Sunday evening at 4:05 p.m. against the Sioux Falls Canaries at Sioux Falls Stadium. The Saints send LHP Kody Knaus (0-1, 6.75) to the mound against Canaries LHP Joe Bircher (0-2, 3.24). The game can be heard on Club 1220 KLBB.

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