AA St. Paul Saints

Saints Leave Diablos Spinning in 4-2 Win

Published on August 8, 2009 under American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


ST. PAUL, MN (August 8, 2009) - The 40 minute tornado warning delay did nothing to hinder the St. Paul Saints pitching staff as they fanned a season high 16 El Paso Diablos, including a career high 10 by Mark Moriarty, in a 4-2 victory on Saturday night in front of 7,042.

Moriarty, who had not won since June 16 and had walked 18 in his last 14.2 innings, was spectacular. In the first inning he gave up a lead off single to Kenard Bibbs, who advanced when Jeff Vincent reached on first baseman Jason Cooper's fielding error. After a wild pitch moved the runners up, Moriarty intentionally walked Juan Camacho with one out. A sacrifice fly from Arnoldo Ponce made it 1-0. Moriarty would make just one mistake, giving up a solo homer to Mike Provecher in the fourth, but he finished strong striking out the side in the sixth inning. He went 6.0 innings allowing two runs on two hits while walking two and striking out 10.

His offense did enough to get him the victory. In the third Alex Fonseca doubled and scored on an RBI single from Jason Cooper with two outs to tie the game at one.

With the Saints trailing 2-1 in the fourth Brent Krause tripled and scored on a sacrifice fly from Scot Knazek. Krause finished the night 2-3 with a double, triple and two runs scored.

The Saints took the lead in a surreal sixth inning. With tornado sirens going off Josh Alley walked and moved to third on a double from Krause. Jeff Eure was intentionally walked to load the bases. Reliever Johnny Dillard entered the game and promptly walked Knazek to force in a run. After getting Steve Butler to foul out, Fonseca walked with the bases loaded to force in a run. The umpires then pulled the players off the field and the teams sat through a 40 minute tornado warning delay.

When play resumed the Saints bullpen of Mike Bille and Ryan Ariail were magnificent. They combined to strike out six, three apiece, and allow just two hits, as the Saints fell one strike out short of their franchise high of 17 set back on June 12, 1999 at Fargo-Moorhead.

The same two teams play the finale of the three game series Sunday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. The Saints will go with RHP Tom Buske (3-3, 4.50) and the Diablos counter with RHP Josh Neitz (4-2, 4.71). The game can be seen on the Saints Cable Network (check saintsbaseball.com for the channel in your area) and heard on Relevant Radio 1330.

Check out the St. Paul Saints Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



American Association Stories from August 8, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central