AA St. Paul Saints

Simon Says Walk off Win for Saints, 4-3

Published on June 24, 2011 under American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


ST. PAUL, MN - One minute it looked like the St. Paul Saints squandered their opportunity to win the ballgame in the bottom of the night, but one batter later they walked it off for the second time this season, 4-3 over the Wichita Wingnuts at Midway Stadium on Friday night in front of 5,288.

With the game tied at three in the bottom of the ninth the Wingnuts brought out their side arm throwing righty Jared Simon. With one out catcher Alex Garabedian walked. With the winning run at first Jonathan Van Every doubled to the right center field gap. Garabedian hit third and was waived around, but a perfect relay throw nailed Garabedian at the plate. With Van Every at second and two outs Adam Frost lined a single to left. Van Every took the turn at third and left fielder Mike Conroy reached down to pick up the ball and try for another play at the plate, but he overran the ball and Van Every scored the winning run without a throw.

The Saints trailed early when the Wingnuts got on the board in the second. Edwin Bellorin doubled with one out and moved to third on an infield single by Conroy. Jose Duran followed with a grounder off of pitcher Donald Brandt's glove for an RBI infield single giving the Wingnuts a 1-0 lead.

The lead lasted until the fourth when the Saints took their first lead of the night as Justin Snyder led off with a double to right. He moved to third on a ground out by Shane Costa and Ole Sheldon walked to put runners at the corners. Jason Cooper tied the game with a single to left-center. Brandon Tripp singled to load the bases and a walk to Ronnie Bourquin forced in a run giving the Saints a 2-1 lead.

The Saints expanded their lead to 3-1 in the fifth when Snyder and Costa walked with two outs. Sheldon doubled home Snyder, but Costa was thrown out trying to score.

The Wingnuts tied the game in the sixth courtesy of two Saints errors. Brent Clevlen led off by reaching on a throwing error by Frost. With one out Jorge Delgado doubled him to third. A sacrifice line out by Josh Workman made it 3-2. Bellorin then hit a grounder into the hole between short and third that Frost made a great diving play on, but he threw wildly to first allowing Delgado to score the tying run. Saints starter Brandt threw 5.2 innings allowing three runs (one earned) on seven hits while walking one and striking out three.

The game remained tied because of superb relief pitching for both teams. Saints reliever Kyle Foster tossed 2.1 scoreless innings giving up three hits while walking one and striking out two. Robert Manuel threw a scoreless ninth. The Wingnuts got a great relief appearance from Eric Gilleland who struck out five in 2.0 innings of relief.

The same two teams meet Saturday evening at 7:05 p.m. in game two of the three game series at Midway Stadium. The Wingnuts will start RHP Steve MacFarland (NR) and the Saints are TBA. It is Take Me to Regions Night presented by Regions Hospital.

Check out the St. Paul Saints Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



American Association Stories from June 24, 2011


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