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IL St. Paul Saints

Saints Pound Out 14 Hits, Pitching Solid in 7-3 Victory Over Clippers

August 5, 2023 - International League (IL)
St. Paul Saints News Release


COLUMBUS, OH - This is more like it. The offensive pressure the St. Paul Saints expected to get from their new look offense on Friday night materialized on Saturday. They managed a hit in eight of the nine innings in a 14-hit barrage. For the second time in the series the pitching didn't allow an earned run as the Saints defeated the Columbus Clippers 7-3 at Huntington Park. The win improved the Saints to 18-14 in the second half.

The Saints grabbed a 1-0 lead in the third. With two outs and nobody on, Trevor Larnach ripped a single into center. Kyle Garlick followed with a walk and DaShawn Keirsey Jr. roped an RBI double into right-center.

In the fourth, the Clippers plated a pair. With two outs and nobody on Angel Martinez was hit by a pitch. Micah Pries hit a ground ball down the first base line that Chris Williams missed which went for a three-base error as Martinez scored tying the game at one. Raynel Delgado followed with an RBI single into right-center giving the Clipperss 2-1 lead.

Larnach led off the top of the fifth for the Saints with a double off the wall in right-center. With runners at the corners and two outs, Austin Martin tied the game at two with an RBI double into right-center. Chris Williams then made it 4-2 with a two-run single into left.

The Saints defense cost them another run in the bottom of the fifth. With one out George Valera drew a walk. Jhonkensy Noel hit a ground ball to Brooks Lee at short, but as he went to throw to second the ball slipped out of his hand and the error allowed the Clippers to have runners at first and second. With two outs, Johnathan Rodriguez' RBI double to right-center cut the Saints lead to 4-3. Saints starter Louie Varland went 5.2 innings allowing three unearned runs on five hits while walking three and striking out five. He improved his record to 6-0.

In the eighth the Saints tacked on an insurance run. With one out Williams walked and Tony Wolters was hit by a pitch. Anthony Prato made it 5-3 with an RBI double to right-center. He finished the night 3-4 with a double and RBI.

The Saints put the game away in the ninth adding two more runs. Larnach finished off his impressive night with a single off the pitcher Chris Vallimont's glove. Larnach finished the night a home run shy of the cycle going 4-5 with a double, triple, and three runs scored. Back-to-back walks loaded the bases. Martin gave the Saints a 6-3 lead with an RBI single to center. He finished the night 3-5 with a double, two RBI, and a run scored. Williams capped off his three RBI night with a sacrifice lineout to center putting the Saints up 7-3. The Saints bullpen was terrific as Cole Sands went 1.1 scoreless innings allowing one hit while walking one and striking out two. Michael Boyle and Oliver Ortega each tossed a perfect inning of relief with two and one strikeouts, respectively.

The same two teams meet in the finale of the six-game series on Sunday evening at 3:05 p.m. (CT). The Saints send LHP Brent Headrick (3-2, 4.75) to the mound against Clippers RHP Zach Plesac (3-4, 5.80). The game can be heard on KFAN Plus, 96.7 FM.




International League Stories from August 5, 2023


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