AA St. Paul Saints

Saints Go Nuts in 7-5 Win Over Wichita

Published on July 9, 2009 under American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


WITCHITA, KS (July 9, 2009) - What started out as a pitchers duel ended in a wild one as the St. Paul Saints became the first visiting team to win two straight games at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium this season defeating the Wichita Wingnuts 7-5 on Thursday night.

Both starting pitchers were magnificent, Mitch Wylie for the Saints and Will Savage for the Wingnuts, and after six innings the game was tied at two. The final three innings, however, were a see-saw battle, one the Saints would prevail.

In the seventh the Saints took a 2-1 lead when Jeff Eure was hit by a pitch, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from Andrew Schmiesing and moved to third on a passed ball. Two batters later Steve Butler's groundout scored Eure.

The Wingnuts, however, took the lead in the bottom of the inning as Wylie gave up a lead off infield single and departed the game in favor of reliever Mike Bille. He got the first man he faced, but Greg Porter reached on an infield single putting runners at first and second. A ground out by Kelly Hunt put runners at second and third with two outs. Bille then unleashed a wild pitch that allowed Josh Horn to score and catcher Scott Knazek's throw to third went into left field which allowed Porter to score giving the Wingnuts a 3-2 lead. Wylie went 6.0 innings allowing two runs on seven hits while walking three and striking out three.

The lead didn't last long as the Saints put up three in the eighth with one swing of the bat. Anthony Norman led off reaching base on catchers interference. Tony Mansolino then laid down a sacrifice bunt which pitcher Richard Salazar picked up and threw into right field, allowing Norman to advance to third. Jason Cooper then clubbed a three-run shot over the center field wall, his third of the season, giving the Saints a 5-3 lead.

The Wingnuts tied it in the bottom of the inning as Steve Pearson singled and Patrick Brooks followed with a double, putting runners at second and third. Mike Thompson then doubled them home, tying the game at five.

The Saints didn't hang their heads coming through in the ninth. With one out Scott Knazek singled to left. Steve Butler followed with a single to left, moving Knazek to third, but Butler was thrown out at second trying to advance. The Wingnuts brought in their new closer Joe D'Alessandro and his first pitch to Norman was laced into center for an RBI single that gave the Saints a 6-5 lead. After Mansolino walked, Cooper came through again with a single to left. He finished the night 4-5 with a double, homer and four RBI and a run scored.

The bottom of the ninth wasn't a cakewalk for closer Kerry Ligtenberg. He walked the lead off hitter Porter and after a strikeout to Hunt, gave up a single to Joe Muich. He struck out Pearson and got Brooks to foul out to end the game.

The Saints return home to take on the Sioux City Explorers at 7:05 p.m. in the first of a three game series on Friday night. The Saints send RHP Charlie Ruud (4-3, 4.50) to the mound. It is German Night. The game can be seen on the Saints Cable Network (check saintsbaseball.com for the channel in your area) and heard live on Relevant Radio 1330.

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American Association Stories from July 9, 2009


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