St. Paul, Minn. -- Robert Coe took the mound on Friday night knowing that he was tied with Charlie Rudd for most wins all-time as a Saint, and by the end of the night, he would have that record, as the St. Paul Saints defeated the Sioux Falls Canaries 6-3.
Once again, St. Paul strikes first
For the second straight night, the Saints got on the board first, as Brady Burzynski led off the bottom of the first with a walk. Breland Almadova followed with a single to center field to put runners on first and second.
After Tony Thomas struck out, Alonzo Harris reached on an error by the first baseman to load the bases for Nate Hanson, who followed his performance last night with a double that drove in all three baserunners to put the Saints up 3-0.
Hanson added a solo homerun in the third inning to make it a 4-0 game. The Canaries got on the board in the fourth inning when Darwin Perez led off with a single to left field. He advanced to third when Blake Schmit doubled, and they both scored when B.J. Guinn singled to right-center field to cut the deficit in half.
The Saints got those runs back in the sixth inning when Almadova hit a one-out single. He then proceeded to steal second and third base before scoring on a double steal he executed with Harris. Harris would come around to score when Hanson singled to make it 6-2.
Ryan Rodebaugh came in to pitch the ninth, and while he gave up a run, he kept the Canaries at bay to give the Saints the win, and Coe the record.
Quick Hits
- During the game, the Saints announced that RHP John Straka's contract has been purchased by the Toronto Blue Jays, and he will report to Single-A Dunedin immediately. Manager George Tsamis wouldn't comment on who would take his place, but look for whoever it is to pitch either Sunday or one of the games Monday in Winnipeg.
- Hanson continued his tremendous streak, as in two games back from his wife having a baby he is 7-8 with 10 runs batted in.
- The two teams will play game three of the series on Saturday night when the Saints send RHP Dan Johnson (3-2, 4.13) to the mound. Sioux Falls will counter with LHP Kris Regas (4-6, 5.56). The series wraps up on Sunday, with the Saints starter still to be announced.
Win - Robert Coe (9-2)
Loss - Ray Hanson (0-5)
Save - None
Player of the game: Robert Coe (STP), went 5.1 innings giving up just two runs on five hits to pick up his 41st victory in a Saints uniform.