Saint Paul, Minnesota - The St. Paul Saints did not have a starting pitcher going into Saturday night. It was a bullpen game. Patrick Murphy opened the game and was supported by the offense, working in harmony the Saints secured an 8-4 victory over the Louisville Bats on Saturday night in front of 8,215. The Saints improved to 66-46 on the season. 

In the second, Noelvi Marte singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Later in the inning, Marte stole third and scored. There were two errors in one play. First, a throwing error by Saints catcher Chris Williams. The ball was thrown into left field. Next, a fielding error by left fielder Trevor Larnach, which allowed Marte to score, and the Bats took a 1-0 lead. 

In the fourth, Austin Martin and Chris Williams walked. Next, Hernan Perez hit his fifth home run of the season. This gave St. Paul a 3-1 lead. 

Louisville got three in the fifth, but the Saints answered in the bottom half of the inning. Trevor Larnach walked and stole second base. Next, Yunior Severino doubled, which tied the game at four. This was his first double at the Triple-A level. Martin walked and DaShawn Keirsey Jr. was hit-by-the-pitch, which brought Chris Williams to the plate. Williams hit a two-run single to center. This gave St. Paul a 6-4 lead. Things would only spiral downward for Louisville from here. A wild pitch was thrown by Bats pitcher Tony Santillan, which allowed Keirsey Jr. to score, and the Saints took a 7-4 lead.

The Saints would add an insurance run in the eighth. It was Bats pitcher Christian Roa that threw a wild pitch, which allowed Brooks Lee to score. St. Paul had an 8-4 lead, and this held for the final score. 

Patrick Murphy opened for St. Paul. Murphy worked four innings allowing two hits. He gave up an unearned run while striking out five and walking two. Ortega worked the final two innings of the night. He did not give up a hit and struck out three. 

Prior to Saturday's game the Saints made a handful of roster moves. The Minnesota Twins optioned LHP Brent Headrick to St. Paul. The corresponding move was the Minnesota Twins recalled RHP Cole Sands from St. Paul. Also, Carlos Luna was promoted from Wichita to St. Paul. 

Carlos Luna, 26, pitched in 19 games with Wichita this season. He posted a 1-7 record with a 5.54 ERA. Luna worked 76.1 innings, which is a team high. Luna was selected to play with Team Panama in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. However, he did not pitch in a game. 

The Louisville Bats and St. Paul Saints meet in the finale of a six-game series on Sunday afternoon at CHS Field. First pitch is scheduled for 2:07 p.m. The Bats will send RHP Ben Lively (4-0, 2.33) while the Saints will counter with RHP Carlos Luna (NR). The game can be seen on the Saints Broadcast Network, MiLB.TV, and heard on KFAN Plus, 96.7 FM.