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IL St. Paul Saints

Yin and Yang: Saints Fan Franchise Record 17, Give up Season Tying High 17 Hits in 10-3 Loss to I-Cubs

May 8, 2022 - International League (IL)
St. Paul Saints News Release


ST. PAUL, MN - On the one hand, the St. Paul Saints pitchers fanned a franchise record 17. On the other, they gave up 17 hits on 26 balls in play as they dropped the finale of the series to the Iowa Cubs 10-3 on Sunday afternoon at CHS Field in front of 4,751.

Cole Sands took the hill for the Saints, his first start since his Major League appearance. He fanned two in the first, but ran into trouble in the second. Seven consecutive I-Cubs hitters reached to start the inning as they plated four runs. Nelson Velazquez led off with a walk and that was followed by six consecutive base hits. Velazquez stole second and scored on a single from P.J. Higgins, who advanced to second on the throw home. Robel Garcia made it 2-0 with an RBI triple to right. Garcia scored on a wild pitch increasing the lead to 3-0. Greg Deichmann then singled and that was followed by a single from Tyler Payne, but Deichmann was thrown out trying to go to third. Ildemaro Vargas singled Payne to second and Andrelton Simmons finished off the string of hits with an RBI single to left increasing the lead to 4-0.

Sands settled down in the third allowing one hit, but striking out three. He went 3.0 innings allowing four runs on eight hits and striking out six.

Drew Strotman took over in the fourth and the I-Cubs added two more as Payne started the inning with a single to center. Vargas doubled him home, taking third on the throw home, giving the I-Cubs a 5-0 lead. A wild pitch scored Vargas as the lead went to 6-0. Strotman fanned three in his 1.1 innings of relief.

The I-Cubs made it 7-0 in the fifth as Higgins led off with a single, moved to second on a passed ball and scored on a Vargas single.

In the sixth, the I-Cubs tacked on two more getting a solo homer from Jared Young, his eighth of the season, making it 8-0. With one out, Velazquez walked and Higgins singled, putting runners at first and second. Back-to-back walks forced in a run making it 9-0.

The Saints got on the board in the seventh as Caleb Hamilton led off with a walk. Two batters later Jake Cave doubled him home getting the Saints to within 9-1. Two batters later Mark Contreras doubled home Cave as the Saints made it 9-2.

The I-Cubs added their final run in the eighth as Higgins collected his fifth hit of the day, doubling to left. With two outs Payne singled him home.

David Bañuelos delivered a solo homer for the Saints in the bottom of the ninth, his second of the season, for the final run of the game.

Ian Hamilton (two strikeouts), Tyler Bashlor (one), Jake Petricka (one), Jharel Cotton (two), and Yennier Cano (two) helped the Saints to their record day. The Saints franchise high was 16 on June 29, 2021 vs. Omaha. As an Independent franchise, the record was also 17 which they set on June 12, 1999 at Fargo-Moorhead.

The Saints have Monday off and return to action on Tuesday against the Columbus Clippers at Huntington Park at 6:05 p.m. (CT). Both teams are TBA. The game can be heard on KFAN Plus, 96.7 FM.

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International League Stories from May 8, 2022


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