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AA St. Paul Saints

Saints Stunned in Ninth, Lose 6-4 to Explorers

July 12, 2009 - American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


ST. PAUL, MN (July 12, 2009) - The St. Paul Saints were one out away from victory but the Sioux City Explorers rallied for four runs in the ninth inning to get the 6-4 win Sunday afternoon at Midway Stadium in front of 5,484 fans. Saints closer Kerry Ligtenberg came into the game with a two run lead in the ninth inning but gave up five hits and four runs in a heartbreaking defeat. The Explorers collected four consecutive hits and capitalized on a mental mistake by Saints second baseman Alex Fonseca.

After Ligtenberg had struck out two batters and allowed a clean single to Derek Schermerhorn, Brett Mieras slapped a ground ball to the right side. Fonseca broke in the wrong direction and could not recover in time as the ball went through the hole and into right field for a run scoring single. That brought the Explorers within a run at 4-3. Dustin Jones followed with an infield hit to put two runners on with two outs in the ninth. Nick McCoola then blooped single to right field, scoring Mieras and tying the game at 4-4.

The Explorers promptly took the lead with a double by Alex Llanos, scoring Jones and McCoola to give Sioux City a 6-4 advantage. The Saints made things interested in the bottom of the ninth off Explorers closer Brett Reid. Steve Butler and Fonseca had back-to-back singles but Reid got Josh Alley to strike out swinging and Brent Krause to pop out to end the game and steal the series from the Saints.

Reid earned his 14th save of the season while Explorers reliever David Trahan picked up the win, his third of the year. Trahan pitched 2.1 scoreless innings, allowing no hits while walking one and striking out three.

The late comeback spoiled a great performance by Saints starter Mark Moriarty, who was in line for his second win. Moriarty tossed 5.2 innings, yielding just two runs (one earned) on three hits while walking three and striking out seven. Kyle Foster and Ryan Ariail had also combined to throw 2.1 innings of scoreless relief.

Saints first baseman Jason Cooper put the Saints ahead in the first inning with a 2 run double off Explorers starter Trevor Fox. The recently selected all-star, Fox, dealt 5.2 innings giving up four runs (2 earned) on four hits while walking seven and striking out six.

The Saints have Monday off and play the Ft. Worth Cats on Tuesday evening at 7:05 p.m. at LaGrave Field. The Saints will send RHP Tom Buske (1-1, 4.05) to the mound. The first half South Division champion Cats have yet to announce a starter for Tuesday's game. The game can be heard live on Relevant Radio 1330.

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