IL St. Paul Saints

Saints Lose Rain Shortened Finale 8-6 to Bats

Published on August 13, 2023 under International League (IL)
St. Paul Saints News Release


ST. PAUL, MN - The St. Paul Saints were going for the rare six-game sweep over the Louisville Bats on Sunday afternoon at CHS Field. They appeared to be well on their way to doing that after scoring six runs in the first inning, but the Bats, the top scoring team in the International League, took advantage of a pitcher making just his second start at Triple-A plus Mother Nature that halted play with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning. In the end the Saints lost 8-6 in a rain shortened game in front of 7,244. The loss ends the Saints five-game winning streak and drops them to 23-16 in the second half.

The Saints jumped on Major League rehabber Ben Lively in the first inning, knocking him out after 0.2 of an inning. With one out Royce Lewis singled to right, stole second, and scored on an RBI single from Brooks Lee making it 1-0. With two outs and Lee on second, Anthony Prato dropped a single into right scoring Lee increasing the lead to 2-0. After a Jair Camargo walk, Gilberto Celestino's infield single to short, scored Prato making it 3-0. Austin Martin delivered the big blow with a three-run homer to left, his second of the season, giving the Saints a 6-0 lead.

Carlos Luna, who was promoted from Double-A Wichita to start the game on Sunday, retired the Bats in order in the first. He got into a little trouble in the second when the Bats loaded the bases with nobody out on a single by Nick Martini, a hit by pitch to Noelvi Marte, and a walk to Jason Vosler. A wild pitch made it 6-1 and that was followed by a sacrifice fly from Jose Barrero making it 6-2.

Things spiraled out of control for Luna in a six-run third. With one out, the Bats collected five consecutive hits and Curt Casali got it started with a single to left. Matt Reynolds followed with a double putting runners at second and third. Nick Martini made it 6-5 with a three-run homer to left, his 15th of the season. Marte followed with a single and Jason Vosler doubled him to third. Drew Mount gave the Bats an 8-6 lead with a three-run homer to right, his third of the season. Luna went 2.2 innings allowing eight runs on seven hits while walking one and striking out three.

Ronny Henriquez had his second straight multi-inning relief appearance. He went 2.1 shutout innings allowing one hit while walking one and striking out four.

Two-way player Andrew Bechtold tossed a perfect inning of relief.

Lewis went 2-3 with a run scored in his fourth Major League rehab appearance this time around.

The Saints are off on Monday and return to action on Tuesday night against the Indianapolis Indians (Pittsburgh Pirates) at CHS Field at 7:07 p.m. Both teams are TBA. The game can be seen on the Saints Broadcast Network, cable access channels in and around the Twin Cities, the Bally Live app (free), and MiLB.TV (subscription), and heard on KFAN Plus, 96.7 FM.

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International League Stories from August 13, 2023


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