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AA St. Paul Saints

Three Saints on AA All-Star team

July 4, 2006 - American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


ST. PAUL, MN - The St. Paul Saints will be well represented at the 2006 American Association-Can Am League All-Star Game.

Brian Sprout, who wasn't on the roster when the season began May 12, will start in the outfield. He will be joined for the July 18 game in El Paso by pitchers Justin Lord and Matt Hammons.

Sprout, a native of Lake City, MN who played at St. Olaf, started the season at AA Jacksonville (Southern League). He joined the Saints in time for the home opener against St. Joseph May 15. After going hitless in his first game, he reeled off a seven-game batting streak and has been rolling ever since. After getting four hits last night at Sioux City, he is second in the AA with a .359 batting average. He also has a team high six home runs and 32 RBI.

"I'm very happy for Brian," said St. Paul manager George Tsamis. "He stepped right in and did a great job. What makes it all the more impressive is he is playing a position he wasn't very familiar with. The league made a great choice."

Lord has made a remarkable comeback after missing the 2005 season with shoulder problems. The righthander has been a superb starter, posting a 6-0 won-loss mark (tied for second in the league) with a sharp 2.86 ERA. He has walked just nine batters in 63 innings. He is just the second pitcher in team history to win his first six decisions. "Justin has been very steady all season," said Tsamis, a former major league pitcher. "He deserves this honor."

Hammons, a member of the Northern League All-Star team last season, earned a league-leading 13th save Monday night at Sioux City. In 22 appearances, he has a 2-1 won-loss mark and a 3.04 ERA. He has been very sharp lately, allowing just one earned run in his 16 outings (16.1 IP, 6 H, 4 BB, 13 K). As of late, he has been stretching his save efforts. His last four saves have all been more than one inning. "He's the best closer in the league," Tsamis said. "It wouldn't be an All-Star Game without him."

The trio will be part of the American Association roster that will be managed by Lincoln skipper Tim Johnson. Jimmy Allen of Lincoln and new El Paso manager Butch Henry will serve as coaches.

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