Dog Day Afternoon as Saints lose Final 9-1

July 28, 2024 – International League (IL)
News item from St. Paul Saints

ST. PAUL, MN – The St. Paul Saints discovered that winning a series against one of the Minor League’s best teams is tough. After winning three of their first four games against the Omaha Storm Chasers, they couldn’t win either of their final two games to clinch the series, losing the series finale 9-1 on Sunday afternoon at CHS Field before a crowd of 7,464.

The teams traded runs in the second inning. Tyler Gentry led off the inning with a solo homer to left, his 10th of the season, to give the Storm Chasers a 1-0 lead.

In the final inning, Wynton Bernard walked, stole second, took third on a wild pitch and scored on a single to right by Patrick Winkel to tie the score at 1-1.

After that it was all Storm Chasers. Another Storm Chasers homer put them ahead in the fifth. With two outs, John Rave walked and Nate Eaton followed with a two-run homer to left, his 13th of the season, to give the Storm Chasers a 3-1 lead. Saints starter Louie Varland pitched well outside of those two homers, throwing 5.0 innings, allowing three runs on four hits, walking four and striking out six.

The Storm Chasers decided the game with a sixth in the eighth from two Saints relievers. Diego Castillo led off the inning and the first three hitters loaded the bases as Rodolfo Durán led off with a single to center, Ryan Fitzgerald walked and Devin Mann reached on a bunt single. Cam Devanney made it 5-1 with a two-run single to center. A walk to Rave loaded the bases. With one out, the Saints made a pitching change as Ronny Henriquez took over. He was greeted by a two-run double from CJ Alexander and a two-run single from Gentry to give the Storm Chasers a 9-1 lead.

The Saints have Monday off and return to action Tuesday night in game one of a six-game series at Principal Park at 6:38 p.m. The Saints send RHP Caleb Boushley (9-4, 4.47) to the mound against I-Cubs RHP Dan Straily (1-7, 5.69). The game can be heard on KFAN Plus, 96.7 FM.

• Discuss this story on the International League message board…

The opinions expressed in this press release are those of the organization issuing the press release and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.