AA St. Paul Saints

Saints Pitching Leads The Way In A 5-2 Win Over Pheasants

Published on July 31, 2010 under American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


ST. PAUL, MN - On a night where dancing took center stage, the St. Paul Saints clinched a series victory with a 5-2 win over the Sioux Falls Pheasants. The mascots weren't the only ones dancing at Midway Stadium on Saturday night. The Saints pitchers had Pheasants batters swinging all over the place, making them look as if they were performing a dance routine. The home team combined for 12 strikeouts in front of 6,510 fans at Midway Stadium.

Saints starter Jake Schmidt set the tone, going 7.0 strong innings, while surrendering just two runs and striking out eight. It was a dominating performance by the Saints All-Star starter against a Pheasants team that leads the league in hitting. Joe D'Alessandro and Matt Meyer combined for two scoreless innings to finish the job on the mound as the Saints took three out of four games from the visitors.

The Saints took an early 2-0 lead for the third straight night thanks to an RBI groundout from Brent Krause in the 4th inning and a wild pitch from Pheasants starter Chris Salberg in the 5th that allowed Brad Miller to scamper home from third. In each of the first two games, though, the Pheasants would fight back and Saturday night was no different thanks to a two-run home run from league leader Brandon Sing. Sing's 24th home run of the season in the top of the 6th served as the only blemish on Schmidt's impressive evening.

For the second straight night, the Saints needed a late rally and they got one started in the 7th after some sloppy infield play from the Pheasants. Saints newcomer Brad Miller reached second on a two-base throwing error by shortstop Tim Hutting. The next batter, Steve Mays, laid down a bunt that headed towards reliever Ryan Grant. Instead of throwing to first to get the easier out, Grant elected to try and get a sliding Miller at third base, which ended up being a costly decision. Miller slid in safely and that set the stage for a game-changing hit by Josh Alley. Alley's triple to right field plated both Miller and Mays, giving the Saints a 4-2 lead. Ole Sheldon would quickly plate Alley on an RBI single, making it 5-2 Saints.

The three-run lead would be all the home team needed to clinch a series victory as the still-flawless Matt Meyer closed out the game for his seventh save of the season. The Saints sit just one game out of first place in the North division following the win and they will take that record to Sioux City on Monday. The Saints will go with Zach Peterson (6-3, 2.58) against an Explorers starter who is yet to be determined. The 7:05 p.m. game can be heard on Relevant Radio 1330.

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