AA St. Paul Saints

Saints Lose Fifth Straight at Home 10-2 to Explorers

Published on July 22, 2011 under American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


ST. PAUL, MN - The St. Paul Saints are having trouble at home these days and on Friday night at Midway Stadium the reason was Sioux City Explorers starting pitcher Nick Schumacher who allowed just two hits in a complete game win as the Saints lost 10-2 in front of 6,204 at Midway Stadium.

The Saints couldn't muster anything against the man with the fourth best ERA in the league and Schumacher proved why he is one of the leagues best baffling the Saints all night long. The Saints went down in order in the first three innings and finally collected their first hit in the bottom of the fourth on a 40-foot dribbler by Adam Frost up along the third base line. The only other hit was a solo homer by Ronnie Bourquin, his fifth of the season, in the seventh inning. It was the first time since June 26, 2008 at Sioux Falls that the Saints managed just two hits in a game. Schumacher went the distance allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits while walking two and striking out 10.

The Explorers jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the second when Kent Sakamoto doubled and with one out scored on TJ Bohn's single.

In the third the Explorers made it 2-0 on a solo homer by Wally Backman Jr., his fifth of the season.

With the score 5-2 in the eighth the Explorers began to put it away. They started the inning with four straight singles by Ray Serrano, Bohn and an RBI single by Brett Flowers, followed by a single from Ryan Priddy. The final hit of the inning, an infield RBI single by Dustin Jones, made it 7-2.

In the ninth the Saints brought in their struggling closer Robert Manuel to try and help build some confidence, but for the third consecutive appearance he gave up runs. Derek Schermerhorn led off with an infield single and advanced to second on a single by Sakamoto. Serrano's two-run double made it 9-2 and he advanced on a fielding error in left by Jason Cooper. Flowers finished the scoring with a single to left-center.

Every Explorer in the starting line up finished with a hit as they pounded out 17, the second most given up by the Saints this season.

The loss is the Saints fifth straight at Midway Stadium. They were swept in a four game series by the Winnipeg Goldeyes on July 11-13.

The same two teams meet Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. at Midway Stadium in game two of a three game series. The Saints send RHP Matt Long (6-5, 4.78) to the mound against Explorers LHP Richard Salazar (NR). It is Minnesota Explorers Night presented by 5 Eyewitness News. Also, the first 1,501 fans in attendance will receive Tweeting Wiener Boxer Shorts on National Hot Dog Day. The game can be heard live on Relevant Radio 1330.

Check out the St. Paul Saints Statistics

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



American Association Stories from July 22, 2011


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