AA St. Paul Saints

Wylie's Gem Lifts Saints to Shutout Win Over Saltdogs 10-0 Thursday

Published on July 23, 2009 under American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


ST. PAUL, MN (July 23, 2009) - The St. Paul Saints returned home with a bang as they blanked the Lincoln Saltdogs 10-0 Thursday night at Midway Stadium in front of 6,7972 fans. Saints starter Mitch Wylie was tremendous as he dealt 7.0 scoreless innings, allowing just three hits while walking none and striking out seven. His strong performance was exactly what the Saints needed, having lost five straight games before the All-Star break.

Wylie was actually perfect through four innings before giving up a leadoff single to former Saint Pichi Balet in the fifth. Working from the stretch for the first time in the ballgame was no problem for the 32-year-old right hander. Wylie set down the next three batters in order and stranded Balet at first base.

Playing at home for the first time since July 12th, the Saints offense also held up their end of the bargain. Jeff Eure put the Saints on the board in the second with an RBI single that plated Josh Alley and put the Saints on top 1-0. Then in the third, Alley drove home Alex Fonseca with a double to give the Saints a 2-0 advantage. Steve Butler scored on a Jason Cooper sacrifice fly in the fourth to extend the Saints lead to 3-0.

After a scoreless fifth inning, Wylie retired the first two batters in the sixth before yielding a hard hit double to Josh Burrus. That was the lone extra-base hit of the night for the visiting Saltdogs. Wylie then got Albenis Machado to ground out and end the inning. The former Saints pitching coach did not allow a runner to reach third base safely.

Saltdogs starter Jim Paduch was removed after going 6.0 innings, allowing three runs on six hits while walking six and striking out three. The Saints then feasted on reliever Darryl Areola. They sent eleven men to the plate in the seventh, scoring six runs on six hits. Alley doubled again to drive in a pair and Steve Butler singled home two more runs. Andrew Schmiesing added an RBI single to put the Saints up 9-0. They would get their final run in the eighth on a single by Scott Knazek, who finished the night with two hits and two RBI.

Saints relievers Mike Bille and Reed Dickert pitched 2.0 scoreless innings to complete the shutout. Saints pitchers combined to strike out 10 men while walking just two.

The same two teams will meet Friday night at 7:05 pm in game two of their three game series. It will be Pocket Protector Giveaway night as the Saints hold the Nerd Pride Parade! The Saints will send RHP Tom Buske (2-2, 4.60) to the mound against Saltdogs RHP Jarrett Gardner (7-4, 4.26). The game can be seen on the Saints Cable Network (check saintsbaseball.com for the channel in your area) and heard live on Relevant Radio 1330. Attachments:

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American Association Stories from July 23, 2009


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