Saint Paul, Minnesota - A strong pitching performance led by Saints starter Louie Varland lifted the Saints past the Louisville Bats by a score of 5-0 on Friday night. The Saints improved to 65-46 on the season and 22-15 in the second half.

The game started in an hour and thirty-six-minute rain delay, but when the game started Royce Lewis got the Saints on the board with a solo home run. Later in the inning, Trevor Larnach walked and Celestino singled to right. Finally, Jair Camargo doubled on a fly ball to shallow right field. The ball dropped, which allowed Larnach and Celestino to score, and the Saints had a 3-0 lead.

In the third, Brooks Lee and Jair Camargo each hit a solo home run. For Lee this was his first home run at the Triple-A level. On the other hand, for Camargo this was his 18th of the season. The Saints had a 5-0 lead and pitching was strong the rest of the way.

Varland led the Saints to their first shutout since April 18th. Varland worked 7.1 innings while allowing three hits. He tossed 84 pitches, 54 were strikes (66%). Varland improved to 7-0 on the season. He left the game to a standing ovation and by tipping his cap to the crowd while walking off the mound. Jovani Moran shut the door the rest of the way.

The Louisville Bats and St. Paul Saints meet in game five of a six-game series on Saturday night at CHS Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:07 p.m. Louisville will send RHP Lyon Richardson (0-0, 0.00) while the Saints will counter with RHP Patrick Murphy (5-2, 4.53). The game can be seen on the Saints Broadcast Network, MiLB.TV, and heard on KFAN Plus, 96.7 FM.