The St. Paul Saints used an offensive outburst in the eighth inning to lead them to an 8-1 victory over the Sioux Falls Canaries in a game that saw a very persistent mist linger over CHS Field.

Sioux Falls strikes first

The Canaries got their only run in the first inning when Blake Schmit took the second pitch of the game and hit what initially looked like a fly ball to left, but it kept carrying, and when it finally fell, it was over the left field fence for a home run to quickly put Sioux Falls up 1-0.

Saints starter Eric Veglahn didn't let it phase him, as he bounced back to strike out the side and keep it a 1-0 game. His offense gave him some help in the second inning when Alonzo Harris led off with a single to the second baseman. After advancing to second on a wild pitch and stealing third base, he scored when Tony Thomas singled into right field to tie the game.

Willie Argo followed with a single to the pitcher, and both Thomas and Argo scored a couple batters later when Sam Maus hit a triple into the left-center field gap to clear the bases and put the Saints up 3-1.

The Canaries' Blake Schmit steals second base late in the game. (Betsy Bissen/St. Paul Saints)
1

The Saints tacked on another run in the fourth inning when Argo hit a one-out double to left field. He advanced to third when Tony Caldwell singled, and promptly scored when Maus hit a bunt single to put St. Paul up 4-1. 

The Saints had another big inning in the eighth inning when Nate Hanson led off with a walk. He advanced to second on a passed ball, and after Brady Burzynski drew a walk, both of them advanced a base on a wild pitch. Hanson scored when Caldwell singled to left field, and Burzynski scored when Tanner Vavra singled to center field. 

The Canaries were then forced to make a pitching change, as James Jones left with what appeared to be an injury. They brought in Madison Boer, who allowed Angelo Songco to reach on an error, and Alonzo Harris to single before he retired Thomas to end the inning, but when it was all finished, the Saints had jumped out to an 8-1 lead

At that point, closer Ryan Rodebaugh was called upon, despite it not being a save situation. He gave up a leadoff single to former Saint Ryan Lashley before striking out Aaron Owen. Ethan Chapman then followed with a single, but Rodebaugh rebounded to strike out the final two batters and hand the Saints yet another win.

Quick Hits

- Harris extended his hit streak to 11 games, which is the longest current streak, and the second longest of the season for the Saints. Earlier this season, Tony Thomas had a 26-game hit streak, which is second longest in franchise history.

- Argo was pulled from the game in the eighth inning for Burzynski, but manager George Tsamis didn't seem concerned after the game, saying that it was an arm injury, and he should be back for tomorrow night's game.

- The Saints are back in action tomorrow night, as they will host the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks. The Saints will send RHP Mark Hamburger (9-0, 2.59) to the mound, while the Redhawks haven't announced who will pitch for them.

VAVEL Logo
About the author
Stevie Larson
NASCAR Editor, Minnesota sports fan. Contact: [email protected]