Sports stats



IL St. Paul Saints

Saints Stuck in a Rut in Loss to Red Wings

May 31, 2024 - International League (IL)
St. Paul Saints News Release


ROCHESTER, NY - A little over a month ago at CHS Field, the St. Paul Saints offense knocked on the Washington Nationals number six prospect, Rochester Red Wings right-handed pitcher Jackson Rutledge. They scored nine runs in 2.0+ innings off of him on April 23. On Friday night, Rutledge flipped the script stifling the Saints offense until the fifth when they finally broke through, but it wasn't enough in an 8-2 loss to the Red Wings at Innovative Field.

Two balls that didn't leave the infield started a three-run inning for the Red Wings in the third. Stone Garrett led off by reaching on catcher's interference. Jackson Cluff followed by dropping a bunt single down to third putting runners at first and second. Darren Baker loaded the bases with a single to center. The Red Wings took a 1-0 lead with an RBI single to left from Drew Millas. Travis Blankenhorn's RBI groundout increased the lead to 2-0. Juan Yepez then hit a ground ball to short and Will Holland's low throw was dropped by Yunior Severino for an error on the first baseman as Baker scored making it 3-0.

For the second consecutive inning the Red Wings loaded the bases with nobody out on a single by Erick Mejia, a walk to Stone Garrett and a Jackson Cluff sacrifice bunt to the mound that Louie Varland dropped for an error. With two outs, Varland walked Travis Blankenhorn to force in a run making it 4-0. Varland went 5.0 innings allowing four runs (two earned) on five hits while walking two and striking out six.

The Saints managed just two singles and two walks against Rutledge in the first four innings. They finally got to him in the fifth as the first two hitters reached and came in to score. Tony Kemp led off with a single to right and that was followed by a walk to Holland. Kemp advanced to third on a stolen base and on a wild throw to third from the shortstop, Holland took second on the error. With one out Diego Castillo doubled to right-center driving in both runs getting the Saints to within 4-2.

For the third time on the night the Red Wings loaded the bases with nobody out. Garrett led off the sixth inning with a single to right. Back-to-back walks loaded the bases. Millas chopped a two-run single over the head of Severino at first increasing the Red Wings lead to 6-2. After Millas was picked off first, the infield stayed in with the runner at third. Blankenhorn hit a hard ground ball to the right of the first baseman Severino who made a nice backhanded play, but as he got up he took a step towards first and then threw home, but was too late as Baker scored making it 7-2.

Jay Jackson made his Saints debut in the seventh. With one out, Mejia hit a ground rule double to right-center and scored on a bloop single to right from Garrett giving the Red Wings an 8-2 lead. Jackson went 1.0 inning allowing one run on two hits.

Royce Lewis, in his fifth Major League rehab game, went 0-4 with three strikeouts and a fly out to left.

The same two teams meet in game six of the seven-game series on Saturday night at Innovative Field at 5:45 p.m. (CT). The Saints send RHP David Festa (1-1, 2.77) to the mound against Red Wings RHP Thaddeus Ward (3-2, 6.02). The game can be heard on KFAN Plus, 96.7 FM.

Check out the St. Paul Saints Statistics



International League Stories from May 31, 2024


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central