St. Paul 's 18-Hit Barrage Beats Captains in Series Opener 9-5

Published on June 6, 2011 under American Association (AA)
Shreveport-Bossier Captains News Release


SHREVEPORT, La.---The St. Paul Saints rolled into Shreveport with the best record in the American Association and proved why, knocking Captains starter Richard Salazar around for seven runs on 14 hits through six plus innings, en route to a 9-5 victory. The win was St. Paul's fourth in a row and dropped the Captains to 13-11. Shreveport-Bossier has lost three of their last four.

St. Paul's offensive onslaught was led by catcher Richard Mercado who went 5-for-5 with three doubles, three runs and four RBIs. Mercado started the Saints off in the second with an RBI double scoring Brandon Tripp. Mercado would be plated two batters later by designated hitter Jeff Howell's RBI single to make it 2-0.

The Saints extended the lead to 5-0 after two and a half thanks to an RBI fielder's choice by Tripp and a one-run single by Mercado. Left fielder Kevin Thompson also scored on a throwing error by Captains third baseman Mike Provencher, making it a five run St. Paul lead.

The Captains got one back in the last of the third and then pulled to within one run in the fourth. Provencher scored Palmer Karr Jr. and Bryan Frichter on a one-out double and Robert Perry's RBI single would make it 5-4. But that was as close as the Captains would get. The turning point came in the bottom of the fifth, when trailing 6-4, the Captains loaded the bases on singles by Andres Rodriguez, Uriak Marquez and Karr with one out. Frichter fouled out to first and Provencher struck out against St. Paul starter Jake Schmidt to end the threat. Shreveport-Bossier would manage only four baserunners after that point.

The Saints pulled away in the seventh on a Mercado RBI double and a Jonathan Van Evry RBI triple off Cody Railsback in his first relief appearance of the season. St. Paul knocked out 18 hits in the game, including seven for extra bases.

Shreveport-Bossier mounted a nominal rally in their final at bat. With two outs in the ninth, Rodriguez would single for his third hit of the game. Marquez would score him in with a double but Karr flew out to right to end the game.

Salazar (1-2) battled through six plus innings, allowing seven runs on 14 hits, walking one and striking out four. Schmidt went five innings, allowing ten hits and four runs while striking out two and walking none.

The Captains and Saints play the middle game of their only three-game series of the year on Tuesday, June 7. Captains pitcher Osvaldo Rodriguez (1-1, 5.93), coming off his best start of the year against El Paso, will face St. Paul's Matt Long (2-1, 5.22). First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. Gates open at 6:05. It's Captain Morgan & Maker's Mark Two-Fer Tuesday with two-for-one on admission and any Captain Morgan or Maker's Mark drink. For ticket information, call 318-636-5555 or log on to www.sbcaptains.com.

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American Association Stories from June 6, 2011


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