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Two Straight Wins for 'Snakes to Open Home Schedule

May 21, 2006 - American Association (AA)
St. Joseph Blacksnakes News Release


St. Joseph, MO-Last minute starter Donovan Graves was outstanding and helped by three home runs as St. Joe knocked off Sioux Falls, 5-1. The Blacksnakes have now won two in a row for the first time-both of them at Phil Welch Stadium.

Graves (1-1), starting at the last minute for injured Andrew Edwards, went six shutout innings while allowing just four hits and striking out five. Sioux Falls starter Matt Petrusek (0-1) was very good early, but St. Joe got to him in the middle innings.

It was scoreless until Wil Quintana led off the fourth by launching a solo home run to left. The no-doubt-about-it shot was Quintana's fifth of the year and made it 1-0. In the fifth, it was Jefferson Infante taking his turn rounding the bases with his first home run down the left field line to make it 2-0.

The Blacksnakes would break it open in the sixth after Sioux Falls had a scoring opportunity thwarted by Graves. Terrell Merriman would double in Mark Burke for a 3-0 cushion before Jake Whitesides would continue the home run derby with his first of the year. The two-run shot made it 5-0.

The Canaries would strike for an unearned run in the eighth and then load the bases in the ninth before J.C. Huguet would strike out Ralph Santana to end it for the Snakes.

Eight of the nine St. Joe starters hit safely, with only Cody Nowlin going 0-for-4. Nowlin had his season-starting eight-game hitting streak end in the win.

The Blacksnakes will try and complete a three-game sweep on Sunday afternoon. St. Joe will give the ball to RHP Dustin Kupper (0-0) against Sioux Falls' RHP Mike Rodriguez (0-0). Heartland Health Schedule Magnets will be given away and kids get ice cream before the game, and the chance to run the bases following the contest. First pitch is scheduled for 2:05pm, and the gates will open at 1pm. Our Heartland Health Pre-Game Show will begin at 1:45pm at www.stjoeblacksnakes.com for the Sunday matinee.

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