AA St. Paul Saints

Saints Turn Pitchers Duel into Laugher, Win Sixth Straight with 7-1 Win

June 1, 2015 - American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


GRAND PRAIRIE, TX (June 1, 2015) - The St. Paul Saints definitely miss CHS Field, but the way things are going on the road they don't mind being away from their friendly confines. The Saints tied their fourth longest road winning streak, getting a sixth straight win, as they plated five runs in the ninth to make a close game look like a blowout with a 7-1 win over the Grand Prairie AirHogs on Monday night at QuickTrip Park.

Both Saints starter Dustin Crenshaw and AirHogs hurler Danny Gutierrez brought their best stuff. As a matter of fact, former Saints hurler Gutierrez was so good he tied his career high by fanning 11 Saints hitters. Early on the Saints were able to get one off of Gutierrez when Willie Argo hit a solo homer to left, his second of the season, to give the Saints a 1-0. Gutierrez would strike out all three outs in the first.

In the bottom of the inning the AirHogs managed to tie the game up. With two outs Jon Weber walked and moved to second on a single by Victor Diaz. Zane Chavez tied it with an RBI double.

The game stayed locked at one until the sixth when Steve Nikorak, the only guy who seemed to have success against Gutierrez, singled to center. He managed two of the four hits Gutierrez gave up on the night. Nikorak would steak second and advance to third on the throwing error by the catcher Chavez. Alonzo Harris followed with an RBI single to give the Saints a 2-1 lead. Gutierrez would go 7.0 innings allowing two runs on four hits while striking out 11.

That was all Crenshaw needed as he was masterful after the first inning. He retired the side in order in five of the eight innings he pitched and went 8.0 innings allowing one run on five hits while walking one and striking out five to pick up his third win of the season.

The Saints blew it open in the ninth all with two outs. With one out Sam Maus was hit by a pitch. With two outs Ian Gac walked. Then Mike Kvasnicka had the at bat of the night against reliever Dakota Watts. He fouled off six straight pitches and in a 10 pitch at bat finally drilled an RBI single to left-center that scored Maus to make it 3-1. Angelo Songco followed with an RBI single to make it 4-1. Then Vinny DiFazio lined a single to right-center, the ball took a crazy hop off the glove of the center fielder, Hayden Jennings, and skipped all the way to the wall. DiFazio raced all the way around for an RBI single and a three base error that gave the Saints the 7-1 lead.

The same two teams meet in the second game of the three game series on Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. at QuickTrip Park. The Saints send LHP Kramer Sneed (1-0, 2.08) to the mound against AirHogs RHP Jason Jarvis (0-1, 8.10). The game can be heard on Club 1220 KLBB.

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American Association Stories from June 1, 2015


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