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AA St. Paul Saints

Saints Lose by Widest Margin of Season 8-2 to Saltdogs

July 25, 2015 - American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


ST. PAUL, MN - For the first time this season the St. Paul Saints were beaten in back-to-back games at home by the same team. A close ball game turned into a blowout as the Saints lost by their widest margin of the year, 8-2 to the Lincoln Saltdogs on Saturday night at CHS Field in front of 8,604.

The Saltdogs jumped on Saints undefeated starter Jeff Shields with single runs in the first three innings getting the leadoff man on in each frame. In the first Matt Forgatch led off with a triple and scored on a groundout by Eddie Young to make it 1-0.

In the second Mike Gilmartin led off with a single, moved to third on a single by Brian Joynt and scored on the double play groundout by Jeremy Hamilton to make it 2-0.

In the third Forgatch doubled and, with two outs, Curt Smith knocked him home with a single to give the Saltdogs a 3-0 lead.

Shields would settle down after that, but the Saints offense couldn't come up with the big hits. In the fourth they finally broke through when Alonzo Harris led off with a double. With one out Vinny DiFazio was hit by a pitch. Ian Gac made it 3-1 with a single. That was followed by a walk to Angelo Songco to load the bases. Shairon Martis, however, struck out Joey Paciorek on a 3-2 pitch and, after a 12 pitch at bat, struck out Anthony Phillips on a 3-2 pitch to end the inning.

In the fifth the Saints put the first two runners on base, but Zac Westcott struck out the top three hitters in the Saints order to keep it a one run game.

The Saints cut the deficit to 3-2 in the seventh when, with Mitch Elliott at first and one out, Harris singled him to second. With two outs Vinny DiFazio's RBI single off the glove of second baseman Aaron Payne made it 3-2. DiFazio went to second on the throw home. With runners at second and third and two outs Ian Gac struck out to the end the inning.

The Saltdogs exploded for five run in the top of the ninth to put the game out of reach.

The same two teams meet in the finale of the four game series on Sunday evening at 5:05 p.m. at CHS Field. The Saints send RHP Dustin Crenshaw (9-1, 1.97) to the mound against Saltdogs RHP Jesse Smith (2-4, 3.45). The first 1,000 fans in attendance receive a free mini bat courtesy of Minnesota Corn Growers. The game can be seen on the Saints Cable Network, cable access channels in the Twin Cities, heard on Club 1220 KLBB and in the ballpark on 97.9 FM.

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