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AA St. Paul Saints

Saints' Offense Explodes Early in 9-3 Win over Canaries

June 13, 2015 - American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


SIOUX FALL, SD - The St. Paul Saints were missing one of their big bats in the lineup, but it didn't seem to matter as they jumped all over Sioux Falls Canaries starting pitcher Brett Gerritse. The Saints scored nine runs in the first three innings and cruised to a 9-3 victory on Saturday night at Sioux Falls Stadium to improve to 19-3.

With .310 hitter Mike Kvasnicka out of the lineup after being struck on the ankle the night before by an errant throw from outfielder Jason Repko, the Saints offense produced in his absence. In the first with one out Mitch Elliott walked. Willie Argo reached on an infield single to third. Ian Gac extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a single to left that loaded the bases. Angelo Songco, who entered play leading the league in RBI, made it 1-0 with an RBI single to left. Vinny DiFazio made it 3-0 with a two-run single to center. The Saints finished their first inning scoring with an RBI single by Joey Paciorek to make it 4-0.

In the second the Saints put up a three spot. Elliott doubled to right and scored on a single by Argo to make it 5-0. Three straight singles by Gac, Songco and DiFazio, the latter two scoring runs, made it 7-0. DiFazio finished the night 2-5 with three RBI. That chased Gerritse from the game and he lasted 1.1 innings allowing seven runs on 10 hits.

In the third the Saints finished their scoring onslaught when Anthony Phillips led off by being hit by a pitch and, with two outs, Argo crushed a two-run homer to left, his third of the season, to make it 9-0. Argo finished the night 4-5, the third four-hit game of his career, with a home run, three RBI and three runs scored, raising his average from .305 to .333. The Saints pounded out 13 hits, with Gac collecting three and Songco two.

The run support was more than enough for Robert Coe who was solid all night long. The lone blip on his evening came in the fourth when he walked the leadoff man Brian Humphries and gave up back-to-back doubles to David Bergin and Richard Stock, the latter producing both runs. Coe went 7.0 innings allowing two runs on seven hits while walking two and striking out six. In all, Saints pitchers struck out 10 Canaries hitters.

The same two teams meet in the finale of the four game series on Sunday evening at 4:05 p.m. at Sioux Falls Stadium. The Saints send RHP Jeff Shields (4-0, 2.89) to the mound against Canaries RHP Shawn Blackwell (1-3, 2.74). The game can be heard on Club 1220 KLBB.

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