AA St. Paul Saints

Saints Make Canaries Fly Away in 6-4 Win

Published on August 11, 2009 under American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


SIOUX FALLS, SD (August 11, 2009) - A lot has changed since the last time the St. Paul Saints visited Sioux Falls Stadium during the first four games of the season. The Saints roster is vastly different, but the guys that weren't here for that series made a mark on Tuesday night in a 6-4 victory over the Sioux Falls Canaries.

Alex Fonseca, who wasn't with the club during that series, led off the game with a solo homer to left, his second of the season, to give the Saints a 1-0 lead.

Saints starter Todd Mathison, who gave up one hit in his first professional start five days ago, wasn't with the club at the beginning of the season either, but he impressed once again. He cruised through the first three innings and made just one mistake in the fourth. With one out he gave up a double to Trevor Lawhorn which was followed by a two-run homer from Patrick Reilly, his fourth of the season, all against the Saints, to give the Canaries a 2-1 lead.

The Saints tied it in the sixth when Jacob Butler and Josh Alley drew back-to-back one out walks. Brent Krause then hit a slow chopper to second that Joe Anthonsen fielded, but his throw to first went wide which allowed Jacob Butler to score.

The Canaries took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the inning, but it could have been worse. Beau Torbert led off with a single and moved to third on a double from Lawhorn. After Mathison intentionally walked Reilly to load the bases, J.D. Reininger hit a sacrifice fly. Mathison, however, was able to retire the next two hitters to escape the inning. Mathison went 6.0 innings allowing three runs on seven hits while walking two and striking out one to earn his second win of the season.

The Saints wasted little time regaining the lead in the seventh. Steve Butler led off with a single to left and moved to third when Fonseca ripped a shot to left that tipped off the top of the glove of Cody Haether, which was ruled a two base error. Anthony Norman singled home Steve Butler to tie the game at three. Jason Cooper, who wasn't with the club during the first series of the season, promptly ripped a three-run homer over the right-center field wall, his ninth of the season.

The Saints managed to hang on from there as Mike Bille earned his fourth save of the season and the Saints improved to 12-3 on the season against the Canaries.

The second game of the three game series is Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. at Sioux Falls Stadium. The Saints send RHP Charlie Ruud (6-3, 4.31) to the mound against Canaries LHP Ryan Ford (3-8, 5.23). The game can be hear live on Relevant Radio 1330.

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