AA St. Paul Saints

Tripp Saves The Game With Spectacular Catches, Saints Come From Behind To Win 7-5 In 10

Published on July 15, 2011 under American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


SIOUX CITY, IA - For the second consecutive night the St. Paul Saints came back late to defeat the Sioux City Explorers this time 7-5 in 10 innings, but if it weren't for outfielder Brandon Tripp's remarkable defense none of it would have been possible.

With the Saints down a run in the top of the ninth inning and one out Jonathan Van Every hit a solo homer to right-center, his 15th of the season, to tie the game at five.

In the bottom of the ninth the Explorers got a runner to second with two outs and Brett Flowers hit a liner into the gap in right-center that looked like it would fall for a hit, but Tripp dove to make a spectacular catch. That, however, wasn't his best catch of the night.

The Saints took the lead in the top of the 10th as Adam Frost led off with a single to center and was sacrificed to second by Ronnie Bourquin. Ole Sheldon doubled him home to give the Saints a 6-5 lead. Jason Cooper then singled to center driving in Sheldon.

In the bottom of the 10th Robert Manuel came in to close it out. TJ Bohn led off with an infield single to third. Ryan Priddy then hit a hot smash to first that Richard Mercado made a superb diving play on and from his knees forced Bohn at second. Manuel then hit pinch hitter Tyler Goodro on a two strike pitch. After Dustin Jones flew out, Manuel walked Wally Backman Jr. to load the bases. Up stepped Derek Schermerhorn with the chance to tie or win the game. He hit a sinking fly ball to shallow right-center that Tripp raced after, dove head first and snagged just before it hit the grass to end the game giving the Saints just their third victory when trailing after seven innings.

With the Saints up 2-0 in the bottom of the second Bohn would give the Explorers their first lead of the night with a three-run homer to left, his fourth of the season, making it 3-2.

The Explorers added to the lead in the sixth when Brian Bistagne hit a two-run two out single making it 5-2.

The Saints, just like the night before, were able to come back late. In the seventh Mercado doubled, moved to third on a fly out and scored on Alex Garabedian's groundout. Mercado finished the night 3-4, a homer shy of the cycle and two runs scored.

With the Saints down 5-3 in the eighth Frost reached on an infield single to third and advanced to second on the throwing error by Backman Jr. With two outs Cooper looped a double down the left field line scoring Frost and making it 5-4, setting up the dramatic final two innings. Cooper finished the night 3-5 with two doubles and two RBI. He has hit safely in eight straight and has 10 RBI in his last five games.

Not to be overlooked is the job done by the bullpen as Caleb Thielbar went 2.2 scoreless innings, allowing two hits while walking one and striking out five. Kyle Foster went 0.2 of shutout work striking out one.

The same two teams meet in game three of the four game series on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. at Lewis and Clark Park. The Saints send RHP Alberto Rolon (5-2, 4.15) to the mound against Explorers RHP Jason Jarvis (1-1, 8.16). The game can be heard on Relevant Radio 1330.

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American Association Stories from July 15, 2011


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