AA St. Paul Saints

Shields Dominates RedHawks as Saints Snap Four Game Losing Streak with 4-2 Win

Published on July 2, 2014 under American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


ST. PAUL, MN - St. Paul Saints starting pitcher Jeff Shields was moved to the bullpen after a rough patch as a starter. After Wednesday night's performance Shields may have etched his name back in the starting rotation every fifth day. The sinker ball pitcher threw 8.0 masterful innings, gave up just two hits and the Saints snapped their four game losing streak with a 4-2 win over the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks at Midway Stadium in front of 3,442.

If it wasn't for the first hitter of the game Shields could have carried a no-hitter late into the game. Zach Penprase led off with a chopper double down the left field line. Penprase would steal third and score on the ensuing throwing error by catcher Dwight Childs to give the RedHawks a 1-0 lead. That would be the only hit Shields would allow until the eighth.

After a leadoff walk in the third Shields retired 12 men in a row until a leadoff walk in the seventh, but he erased that with a double play. At one point Shields recorded 10 straight ground ball outs off balls put into play.

In the eighth Shields retired the first two men he faced before giving up his second hit of the night. Tim Alberts hit a grounder wide of first that Henry Wrigley fielded on the backhand, but his throw to Shields, who went to cover first, was a little behind the pitcher and Alberts beat him to the bag. After an error by shortstop Jared McDonald put runners at first and second, Shields would get his final out of the night, ironically, a fly ball to right. In all Shields recorded 13 ground ball outs, three pop outs to the infield, three fly outs to the outfield and five strikeouts. He went 8.0 innings allowing one unearned run on two hits while walking two and striking out five.

The Saints offense managed just three hits, but got help from the RedHawks defense to account for their four runs. In the third Keith Brachold walked and Joe Bonfe singled him to second. Dwight Childs then laid down a sacrifice bunt towards third, but Ronnie Bourquin's throw to first sailed over the first baseman's head allowing two runs to score and sending Childs to third. After Sam Maus walked, a wild pitch scored Childs and sent Maus to second. With two outs Henry Wrigley knocked home Maus to put the Saints up 4-1.

The RedHawks tried to mount a comeback in the ninth when closer Dan Sattler walked Nic Jackson with one out, who moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on a two-out double by Sawyer Carroll. Petey Paramore was hit by a pitch, but Sattler struck out Brandon Newton to end the game.

The same two teams meet in the finale of the three game series on Thursday night at Midway Stadium at 7:05 p.m. The Saints send RHP Anthony Claggett (4-3, 1.96) to the mound against RedHawks RHP Taylor Stanton (1-5, 4.14). It is the Independence Day Celebration with a Post-Game Fireworks SuperShow. The game can be heard on Club 1220 KLBB.

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American Association Stories from July 2, 2014


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