AA St. Paul Saints

Saints Outdueled by Wingnuts, Lose 3-2 Tuesday

August 4, 2009 - American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


ST PAUL, MN (August 4, 2009) - The St. Paul Saints found themselves on the wrong end of an old fashioned pitchers' duel as they fell 3-2 to the Wichita Wingnuts Tuesday night at Midway Stadium in front of 5,511 fans.

Mitch Wylie, who started the ballgame for the Saints, turned in his third consecutive quality start, but it was not enough to give his team the victory. In 7.1 innings, Wylie allowed just three runs on seven hits while walking two and striking out eight. The 32-year-old right hander took the loss, falling to 7-6 on the season.

Wingnuts starter Derek Blacksher picked up the win, his eighth of the season, despite pitching from behind for most of the night. Blackscher tossed 7.2 innings, giving up only two runs on nine hits while walking none and striking out seven.

With the game tied at 2-2 in the top of the eighth, the Wingnuts chased Wylie from the game with back-to-back singles from Josh Horn and Nick Blasi. After a passed ball allowed both runners to move into scoring position, the Saints elected to intentional walk Greg Porter with first base open. Manager George Tsamis then brought in Mike Bille to face Dustan Mohr with the bases loaded. Bille's first pitch hit Mohr and brought in the go ahead run, giving the Wingnuts their first lead of the night at 3-2.

Joe D'Allessandro pitched a perfect ninth to preserve the Wingnuts victory and earn his seventh save of the season.

The Saints took a 1-0 lead in the third after Alex Fonseca singled home Anthony Norman. Fonseca would drive in the only other run of the ballgame for St. Paul when he smacked a single in the fifth to plate Norman again and extend the Saints lead to 2-0.

Wichita got on the board in the seventh when Wylie's wild pitch allowed Porter to score from third and cut the Saints lead to 2-1. Joe Muich then roped a single to left field to score Mohr and tie the game up at 2-2.

Tuesday's pitchers' duel saw a total of 21 strikeouts between the two clubs. There were only three walks issued in the game, all by Saints pitchers.

The same two teams meet Wednesday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. at Midway Stadium in the second game of the three game series. The Saints will send RHP Tom Buske (3-2, 3.74) to the mound against Wingnuts LHP Brad Davis (6-5, 3.20). The game can be seen live on the Saints Cable Network (check saintsbaseball.com for the channel in your area) and heard on a tape delayed basis on Relevant Radio 1330 at 6:00 p.m. It is YMCA Day!

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