Twins Video

Saint Paul, Minnesota - On Friday night the Saints took a two-run lead to the ninth and pitching struggled to close the game; however, on Saturday night the exact opposite happened. The Saints once again took a two-run lead into the ninth, but this time pitching was dominate and the Saints secured a 4-2 win over the Durham Bulls (Tampa Bay Rays) to tie the three-game series at one game apiece. In fact, Saints pitching dominated all evening, which was a major reason for the Saints' success. The Saints improved to 53-35 on the season and played this game in front of 8,652 fans in a quick two hours and twelve minutes. 

 

In the second, Mark Contreras is hit-by-the-pitch to start the inning. Next, Jair Camargo doubled, which allowed Contreras to advance to third. Finally, Anthony Prato grounded out to second base but is credited with an RBI as Camargo scored to give the Saints a 1-0 lead. 

 

The score would stay that way until the sixth. Vidal Brujan singled to start the inning. Simeon Woods Richardson attempted to pick Brujan off at first base; however, the throw gets by and goes down the rightfield line. Brujan advanced to third. Curtis Mead flied out on a sacrifice fly to deep leftfield and Brujan scored to tie the game at one. 

 

In the seventh, Ryan Thompson came into the game to pitch for the Bulls. The very first pitch he threw was put out of the ballpark by Anthony Prato. This was his sixth homerun of the season, and this gave the Saints a 2-1 lead. Next, Alex De Goti doubled, and Andrew Stevenson grounded out to second, but De Goti was able to advance to third. Finally, Austin Martin reached on a fielding error by Durham shortstop Osleivis Basabe, which allowed De Goti to score and gave the Saints a 3-1 lead. 

 

In the eighth each team would get a run. Nick Dini hit a solo homerun to left centerfield for the Durham Bulls. This was his seventh homerun of the season. For the Saints it would be Jair Camargo. This homerun was the thirteen for Camargo on the season. Camargo hit the ball over the berm in leftfield and gave the Saints a 4-2 lead. 

 

In the ninth, Kody Funderburk came in to close the game. Curtis Mead would lead off the inning with a single. Next, Austin Shelton grounded into a force out, Greg Jones struck out swinging, and Tristian Gray grounded out to third to end the game. The Saints held on for a 4-2 win. Funderburk is credited with his second save of the season. 

 

Brent Headrick started for St. Paul. He worked 3.0 innings allowing no runs on three hits. Also, he struck out four. Woods Richardson came in to relieve Headrick's. Woods Richardson tossed 5.0 innings allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits. For the second time this season the Saints pitching staff allowed zero walks over the course of nine innings. 

 

Each team collected six hits. Jair Camargo is the only Saints player to have a multi-hit game on Saturday night. Camargo went two-for-four with 1 R, 1 RBI, 2 K. On the other hand, the Saints left seventeen men on base. 

 

The Durham Bulls and St. Paul Saints will meet in the finale of a three-game series on Sunday afternoon at CHS Field. First pitch is scheduled for 2:07 p.m. The Durham Bulls are TBA while the Saints will send LHP Dallas Keuchel (0-0, 0.64). The game can be seen on the CW Network, the Bally Live app, and MiLB.TV, and heard on KFAN Plus, 96.7 FM.