Saints top Cleburne in Series Opener

(photo credit: St. Paul Saints on Twitter)

The St. Paul Saints maintained their pace in the American Association North Division on Monday night when they defeated the Cleburne Railroaders 8-5 at CHS Field. It was the second win of the season for the Saints over the Railroaders after winning just one of three games in Cleburne during the month of June.

It was a pitcher’s duel early on, as the Saints didn’t record a hit off Patrick Mincey until the third inning, when they got a leadoff single from Dante Bichette Jr. and a walk that was issued to Anthony Phillips. They both scored when Max Murphy ripped a single to right field to put the Saints up 2-0.

Murphy scored a short time later when Burt Reynolds ripped a home run clear over the bullpen in left field to extend the lead to 4-0.

The Saints quickly made it a 7-0 game, as in the fourth inning Matt Snyder drew a leadoff walk, and advanced to second when Justin O’Conner singled. They both scored when Phillips hit a home run that went into the left-field bullpen.

It was his first home run of the season.

Cleburne started to rally in the fifth, scoring three runs on two hits and three walks while also chasing Saints starter Ryan Zimmerman from the game. The Railroaders continued their rally in the sixth, when two doubles and three walks brought it to a 7-5 lead for the Saints.

St. Paul scratched across one final run in the bottom of the sixth when Reynolds singled with two outs and proceeded to steal second base. He advanced to third when the throw to second sailed into center field, and scored when Brady Shoemaker hit a hard single to center field to drive in the run.

The Saints bullpen did a masterful job, pitching 4 and 2/3 innings, giving up just two hits and two earned runs along with eight strikeouts. Zack Jones picked up the save, striking out two batters in the ninth. The lone baserunner for the Railroaders was former major leaguer Rafael Palmeiro, who was hit in the leg by a pitch and subsequently removed for a pinch runner.

Palmeiro at the plate (image credit: Stevie Larson)

Palmeiro didn’t have a good night at the plate, officially going 0-for-1 with a strikeout, two walks and a hit by pitch.

The two teams will go at it again on Tuesday night at CHS Field, with the Saints not yet announcing who will be on the mound. Whoever gets the start will be opposed by Dylan Mouzakes. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

Notes

  • The Saints made a major trade on Monday morning, sending infielder Noah Perio Jr. to the Kansas City T-Bones in exchange for infielder Zach Walters. Walters was not in the lineup on Monday, but is expected to make his debut on Tuesday. Perio made an immediate impact in Kansas City, 2-for-3 with two runs scored and one run batted in to help the T-Bones beat the Lincoln Saltdogs, 12-9.
  • Palmeiro is indeed playing professional baseball again, attempting a comeback with the Railroaders. He is batting .296 this season with five home runs and 13 runs batted in. He isn’t the only Palmeiro on the team, as his son Patrick joins him in the Cleburne dugout.
  • The Saints have struggled recently, going 5-5 in their last 10 games, including a series win over the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks in a series that was split between Fargo and St. Paul over the Fourth of July. They followed that up by losing two of three from the Lincoln Saltdogs.
  • This was the first time since August 20, 2017 where the Saints scored eight-plus runs in a home win, according to Saints broadcaster Sean Aronson. Coincidentally that night the Saints beat the Railroaders by the same 8-5 score.

Become a Zone Coverage Member Today!

Twins
Trevor Larnach Is the Last Hope For a Faltering Twins Offense
By Lou Hennessy - May 12, 2021
St. Paul Saints Advance to American Association Championship Series for First Time Since 2011
By Stevie Larson - Sep 8, 2018

RailCats Keep Season Alive, Beat Saints 5-0

(photo credit: St. Paul Saints on Twitter)

The Gary Southshore Railcats entered Friday night’s game against the St. Paul Saints with their backs up against the wall. They were down 2-0 in the best-of-five […]

Continue Reading