AA St. Paul Saints

Saints Ninth Inning Rally Falls Short, Lose 4-3

Published on August 20, 2016 under American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


FARGO, ND - Everything that could go wrong during the current seven game roadtrip for the St. Paul Saints continues to go wrong and the losses are piling up. For the third straight game and fifth time during the six game trip (and sixth in seven counting the resumed game from July 20) the Saints finished on the short end losing 4-3 to the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks at Newman Outdoor Field on Saturday night.

With the Saints trailing 4-2 in the eighth Dan Johnson led off against RedHawks starter Brian Ernst with a walk. Nate Hanson followed by reaching on a fielder's choice. Vinny DiFazio, who came up with so many big hits last year, looked like he came up with another one crushing a double off the left field wall. Hanson tried to score from first, however, and was thrown out by about 15 feet. After Trever Adams was intentionally walked the RedHawks brought in the left-handed reliever Will Mathis to face the lefty Aaron Gretz. Manager George Tsamis countered with right-handed hitting Tony Caldwell. He launched a fly ball to right-center, but the ball died in front of the wall and was caught by centerfielder Kes Carter to end the inning.

In the ninth the Saints nearly came back against RedHawks closer Colton Reavis. With one out Alonzo Harris singled. He finished the night 3-4 with a double and two runs scored. Harris moved to second on a wild pitch and advanced to third on a groundout by Tanner Vavra. Tony Thomas then crushed one that hit off the base of the left field wall for an RBI double. With the tying run in scoring position Dan Johnson couldn't provide any further magic as he popped out to end the game.

The Saints jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first when Harris singled and, with one out, Thomas was hit by a pitch. Johnson singled to right-center loading the bases. A Hanson ground out plated Harris.

In the bottom of the inning, however, the RedHawks tied it up against Saints starter Mark Hamburger. Carter led off with a single and Pineda was hit by a pitch. Keury De La Cruz' RBI single tied the game.

In the third Hamburger retired the first two hitters he faced, but K.D. Kang hit a solo homer to right, his 14th of the season, to give the RedHawks a 2-1 lead. Dustin Geiger reached on an infield single to third and Brian Humphries followed with a single. Charlie Valerio doubled both runners home to make it 4-1. Hamburger went 7.0 innings allowing four runs on 11 hits while walking three and striking out six.

The Saints cut into the deficit in the sixth when Trever Adams hit a solo homer, his seventh of the season.

The same two teams meet in the finale of the three game series on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. The Saints are TBA while the RedHawks send RHP Jose Almarante (3-1, 2.35) to the mound. The game can be heard on Club 1220 KLBB.

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American Association Stories from August 20, 2016


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