AA St. Paul Saints

Saints Remain Perfect in Extra Innings, Win 5-4 in 13

July 27, 2008 - American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


SIOUX FALLS, SD (July 27, 2008) - The St. Paul Saints were one out away from winning in nine innings, but a two-run homer sent it to extra innings where the Saints won 5-4 in 13 innings over the Sioux Falls Canaries at Sioux Falls Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

With the Saints leading 3-2 in the top of the ninth the Saints got an insurance run that proved to be huge. Ryan Priddy led off with a double to right-center and Tony Mansolino followed with an RBI single to make it 4-2.

In the ninth the Saints turned to their closer Tony Pierce, who was a perfect 14-14 in save opportunities. The inning started with a lead off single from Ben Van Iderstine. Pierce then struck out the next two hitters. The first pitch he threw to Tim Hutting, however, was clubbed over the left field wall, his fifth of the season, tying the game at four.

The Saints finally broke through in the 13th when Ben Thomas led off with a single to right. With one out Kevin Sullivan had a pinch hit single to right sending Thomas to third. Priddy's sacrifice fly gave the Saints the one run lead.

In the bottom of the inning John Wesley, pitching his third inning of relief, struck out the side to pick up his second win of the season and the Saints moved to 5-0 in extra inning ballgames. He went 3.0 shutout innings allowing one hit while walking one and striking out three.

The Saints may have found a new big time starter as Jeff Blitstein pitched his first game for the Saints. He went 6.0 innings allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits while walking one and striking out four. The Canaries took the early 2-0 lead. In the first Grant Richardson singled off the glove of third baseman Thomas' glove. He moved to second on a ground ball and three batters later Van Iderstine lined a single to right scoring Richardson.

In the fourth Van Iderstine led off with a single and stole second. With two outs Paul Smyth reached on a fielding error by Priddy and Hutting knocked in a run with a single to left.

The Saints, however, took the lead in the sixth with a three spot. Pichi Balet led off by being hit by a pitch. Tim Brown singled him to second. Brent Krause drove home Balet with a single to right. Two batters later Heath Keel knocked in Brown tying the game at two. With Krause at third and two outs Zach Goldberg's grounder to third scored Krause giving the Saints a 3-2 lead.

Thomas and Mansolino each collected three hits while reliever Josh Regits tossed 2.0 shutout innings walking two and striking out one.

The same two teams meet Monday night at 7:05 p.m. at Sioux Falls Stadium. The Saints send LHP Mark Romanczuk (2-0, 3.41) against Canaries RHP Pat Mahomes (7-5, 4.22). The game can be heard on Relevant Radio 1330.

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American Association Stories from July 27, 2008


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