IL St. Paul Saints

Saints Rebound in Big Way, Take Down Mud Hens 10-6

Published on June 23, 2023 under International League (IL)
St. Paul Saints News Release


TOLEDO, OH - A night after being shutout for just the second time this season, the St. Paul Saints got their revenge on Friday night at Fifth Third Field. All nine hitters collected a hit, eight of nine scored a run, and six of nine knocked in a run. Blayne Enlow was superb in 4.1 innings of relief as the Saints came from behind for a 10-6 victory. The win improves the Saints to 42-30 on the season.

The Mud Hens jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first as Parker Meadows led off with a triple and scored on a sacrifice fly from Justin-Henry Malloy.

In the second, the Mud Hens added to their lead. Johan Camargo led off with a walk and Donny Sands singled into center putting runners at first and second. With one out, Michael Papierski doubled home both runners making it 3-0.

A game after the Saints had their 25-game home run streak snapped, Anthony Prato got the Saints on the board with a solo homer to left, his second of the season, cutting the deficit to 3-1.

A night after making his pitching debut, Andrew Bechtold got it done with the bats getting the Saints to within a run in the fourth. With two outs Mark Contreras walked and Bechtold followed with an RBI double to left-center making it 3-2.

The Mud Hens regained their three-run lead in the bottom of the fifth. Papierski led off with a single to right-center and moved to third on a one out double by Meadows. Malloy made it 4-2 with a sacrifice fly to center. After Tyler Nevin was hit by a pitch, Andre Lipcius increased the lead to 5-2 with an RBI single to right-center. Saints starter Louie Varland, in his first appearance since being optioned, went 4.2 innings allowing five runs on six hits while walking two and striking out four.

The Saints grabbed those two runs back in the top of the sixth. Chris Williams led off with a walk. With two outs, Prato doubled him home getting the Saints to within 5-3. Prato finished the night 3-5 with two doubles, a home run, two RBI, two runs scored, and a stolen base. Elliot Soto followed with an RBI single into right making it 5-4.

The lead for the Mud Hens grew to two as they snagged a run in the bottom of the sixth. Sands led off with a walk and he scored on a two-out double by Joe Rizzo giving the Mud Hens a 6-4 lead. That was all Blayne Enlow allowed. In a piggyback situation, Enlow went 4.1 innings allowing one run on two hits while walking one and striking out four. He threw 59 pitches, 37 for strikes and picked up his first Triple-A win.

In the seventh, the Saints grabbed their first lead of the game as they loaded the bases with nobody out. Matt Wallner led off with an infield single to third, Gilberto Celestino walked, and Trevor Larnach singled. Williams cut the lead to 6-5 with a sacrifice fly. Contreras gave the Saints the lead with a two-run double down the third base line and took third on the throw home, giving the Saints a 7-6 lead. Bechtold gave the Saints a two-run lead at 8-6 with a sacrifice fly to center.

The Saints added a pair of insurance runs in the eighth. Jose Miranda led off with a triple to right and Wallner walked. Celestino reached on an RBI fielder's choice making it 9-6. He stole second and scored on a two-out single to left by Williams increasing the lead to 10-6. The same two teams meet in game five of a six-game series at Fifth Third Field on Saturday night at 6:05 p.m. (CT). The Saints send RHP Aaron Sanchez (4-4, 5.12) to the mound against Mud Hens LHP Jack O'Loughlin (1-1, 3.93). The game can be heard on KFAN Plus, 96.7 FM.

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International League Stories from June 23, 2023


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