Saints move within a game of first with fifth win in a row
Published on June 29, 2006 under American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release
ST. PAUL, MN - The St. Paul Saints got their wish. They head to Lincoln for a three-game series with a chance to win the first half North Division championship.
The Saints moved within a game of the division leading Saltdogs with just three to play after holding off Pensacola for a 5-4 decision before a sellout crowd of 6,442 at Midway Stadium. St. Paul (28-17) has won five games in a row and eight of their last nine.
If they sweep the three-game series at Haymarket Park that starts Friday night, they will claim the first half North title outright. If they take two of three, they will tie for the championship. Under American Association rules, the first meeting between the two teams in the second half of the season (July 7 at St. Paul) will decide the first half title.
St. Paul scored all their runs in the first two innings. Pat Scalabrini's RBI double was the key blow in a two-run first inning. In the second, they took advantage of Pensacola starter Benny walker's wildness (four walks and a hit batter) to push the lead to 5-0.
The Pelicans closed within 5-3 against St. Paul's Charlie Ruud (3-3), the eventual winning pitcher. Ruud went seven innings before giving way to reliever Ivan Hernandez, who was charged with a run in the eighth that made it 5-4. Matt Hammons fanned three of the last four batters he faced to earn his 11th save, tying him for the league lead.
Mike Meyer (5-3), who leads the AA with two Complete Games, gets the nod for St. Paul in the series opener Friday night. Game time is 7:05 p.m.
American Association Stories from June 29, 2006
- American Association recap - AA
- Mirizzi, Cats sweep away Aviators - Fort Worth Cats
- Saints move within a game of first with fifth win in a row - St. Paul Saints
- Cogan pitches gem in 3-1 win - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Sioux Falls finally solves âSnakes at Phil Welch Stadium - St. Joseph Blacksnakes
- Pelicans to play biggest series of first half - Pensacola Pelicans
- Baseball America Editor on Coach's Show - Pensacola Pelicans
- Benefit Cookout for Rusty Begnaud - Pensacola Pelicans
- Canaries return to Sioux Falls June 30 - Sioux Falls Canaries
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