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AA St. Paul Saints

Saints Feast on Rookie Pitcher, Cruise to 8-3 Victory

June 9, 2015 - American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


ST. PAUL, MN (June 9, 2015) - The St. Paul Saints are in the midst of their sixth series of the season and they have yet to lose one. With the 8-3 victory on Tuesday night at CHS Field against the Joplin Blasters, in front of 6,811, the Saints improved to 16-2 on the season.

The Saints faced a rookie pitcher, making just his sixth professional appearance and second ever start, Matt Parish. They jumped on him in the first and it could have been worse than the two runs they put up. Mitch Elliott led off the bottom of the first with a single. Sam Maus singled to left and Elliott raced for third. He slid in safely, but his momentum carried him past the bag and he was tagged out. Willie Argo followed with a double to put runners at second and third. He finished the night 3-4 with two doubles and three runs scored. Ian Gac, who entered play tied for first in the league in RBI, roped his 13th double of the season knocking in both runners to give the Saints a 2-0 lead.

The Blasters fought back in the second when Omar Luna walked with one out. Oscar Mesa's single to right advanced Ramirez to second. An error by Steve Nikorak at third loaded the bases. Juan Medina's RBI single and Maikol Gonzalez' fielder's choice tied the game at two.

The Saints, however, have answered all season long when the opposition scores and they did so in the third putting up five runs, tying their season high for a single inning. Sam Maus led off the inning with a lined shot to third that glanced off the glove of a diving Oscar Luna for an infield single. Argo roped a single to left. With one out Mike Kvasnicka walked to load the bases. Angelo Songco gave the Saints a 4-2 lead with a two-run single. After an intentional walk to Joey Paciorek loaded the bases, the Saints got back-to-back RBI singles from Nikorak and Anthony Phillips to give them a 6-2 lead. That chased Parish from the game who went 2.1 innings allowing seven runs on 10 hits while walking two and striking out five. The Saints finished their scoring in the inning on an RBI fielder's choice by Elliott to make it 7-2.

That was more than enough for Saints starter Jeff Shields who ran his record to 4-0, matching teammate Dustin Crenshaw. He hurled 7.0 innings allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits while walking two and striking out three.

The Saints pounded out 14 hits, with eight of nine batters collecting a hit.

The same two teams meet in the finale of the three game series on Wednesday evening at 7:05 p.m. The Saints send LHP Pedro Hernandez (2-1, 3.68) to the mound against Blasters RHP Rob Tejeda (1-0, 5.52). It is Good Eggs and Scams presented by the Better Business Bureau f Minnesota and North Dakota. The game can be seen on the Saints Cable Network, cable access channels in the Twin Cities, and heard on Club 1220 KLBB.

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American Association Stories from June 9, 2015


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