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IL St. Paul Saints

What a Relief: Bullpen Dominates in 4-2 Victory over I-Cubs

July 7, 2021 - International League (IL)
St. Paul Saints News Release


DES MOINES, IA - Josh Winder was on a pitch count Wednesday night at Principal Park. Scheduled to throw on short rest on Sunday in the Futures Game, Winder wasn't expected to go long. Unfortunately, he went shorter than expected lasting just 2.0+ innings after being struck by a line drive near the side of his neck/ear area. After walking off under his own power the bullpen did the rest going 7.0 shutout innings as the Saints took down the Iowa Cubs 4-2.

The I-Cubs took a 1-0 lead in the first when Michael Hermosillo hit a solo homer to left, his fifth of the season.

In the third a scary moment occurred with Winder. The leadoff hitter, Tyler Ladendorf, hit a line drive that appeared to hit the side of the neck/ear area of Winder as the ball ricocheted towards third baseman Jose Miranda. He picked up the ball and his throw to first was wide and skipped into foul territory as Ladendorf took second on the error. Winder left the game and walked off under his own power and was said to be feeling fine after the game. Juan Minaya took over and, with one out, gave up a single to Tony Wolters that put runners at the corners. A wild pitch by Minaya scored Ladendorf making it 2-0. Minaya went 2.0 scoreless innings allowing one hit while walking two.

The Saints, who put up six in the fourth on Tuesday night, added a three spot on Wednesday. Drew Maggi led off the inning with a bunt single to the third base side. Brent Rooker doubled him home cutting the deficit to 2-1. Willians Astudillo's single to left moved Rooker to third. Mark Contreras' sacrifice fly scored Rooker as Astudillo took second. Astudillo then stole third and scored on a Damek Tomscha single to center putting the Saints up 3-2.

Andrew Vasquez came on in the fifth inning and walked the first man he faced, Ian Miller. Miller then took off for second and Vasquez' throw over to first went into foul territory as Miller wound up at third on the error. Vasquez fanned the next two hitters and, after hitting a batter, got Nick Martini to bounce back to the mound to end the inning. Vasquez went 1.1 shutout innings while walking two and striking out three.

In the seventh Drew Stankiewicz walked with one out and advanced to third on a single by Keon Broxton. Roberto Peña made it 4-2 with a bloop single into center.

Yennier Cano tossed 2.1 scoreless innings allowing three hits while striking out three. He ran into a small jam in the seventh when he gave up a leadoff single to Miller. Cano would pick off Miller, but Tony Wolters singled and Michael Hermosillo reached on a fielding error by the second baseman Stankiewicz that put runners at the corners. Cano got Trayce Thompson to pop out and Martini to ground out to end the inning.

Nick Vincent earned his third save of the season by pitching the final 1.1 shutout innings while walking one and striking out two.

The same two teams meet in game three of the six-game series on Thursday night at 7:08 p.m. The Saints send LHP Charlie Barnes (4-2, 3.76) to the mound while the I-Cubs are TBA. The game can be heard on KFAN Plus, 96.7 FM.

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