AA St. Paul Saints

Saints' Home Win Streak Snapped at Eight with 9-3 Loss to Wingnuts

July 31, 2014 - American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


ST. PAUL, MN - In their final season at Midway Stadium the St. Paul Saints had a chance to tie the franchise record for most consecutive home victories. Unfortunately, they got a first hand look at why the Wichita Wingnuts have the best record in the American Association. A six run second inning by the Wingnuts was too much for the Saints to overcome as their eight game home winning streak came to an end in a 9-3 loss on Thursday night at Midway Stadium in front of 6,605.

The Wingnuts sent 11 men to the plate and at one point had seven consecutive hitters reach base safely. With one out Carlo Testa singled and he scored on a double from Chris McMurray to make it 1-0 Wingnuts. Chris McClendon singled and David Amberson walked to load the bases. Jake Luce then roped a bases clearing double to right-center to make it 4-0. An RBI single by Ryan Khoury made it 5-0 and three batters later Brent Clevlen made it 6-0 with an RBI single. That was enough to chase Saints starter Nick Barnese who lasted just 2.0 innings allowing six runs on eight hits while walking one.

The Wingnuts scored another in the third when, with runners at first and third, Khoury singled to left to make it 7-0.

The Saints offense had 15 hits on the night, but 14 of them were singles. They finally got on the board in the fifth when Devin Thaut singled, moved to second on a ground out and advanced to third on a Sam Maus single. Maus extended his streak to 29 consecutive games reaching base safely. A Henry Wrigley fielder's choice scored Thaut to make it 7-1.

Saints reliever Drew Gay was solid in 7.0 innings of relief allowing three runs on six hits while walking three and striking out five. Other than the run in the third he gave up a two-run homer to Jake Kahauelelio in the seventh, his fifth of the season, which made it 9-1.

The Saints tacked on their final two runs in the eighth on RBI singles by Joey Becker and Thaut. Thaut finished the night 3-5 with an RBI while Willie Cabrera extended his hitting streak to 13 games by going 3-5 with a double.

The Saints had won nine consecutive home games twice in their franchise history, July 17-30 in both 1994 and 1995.

The same two teams meet in game two of the three game series on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. at Midway Stadium. The Saints send RHP Jeff Shields (5-5, 3.67) to the mound against Wingnuts RHP Jon Link (9-2, 3.17). It is Super Hero Night. The game can be heard on Sports Radio 105 The Ticket.

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