Article: St. Paul Saints, Fireworks on and off the Field

[John Bonnes]

Another St. Paul Saints home stand, another couple of series victories for the home team. It's almost becoming repetitive to talk about how good this team is - almost. At 36-10, following five victories out of seven games to start July at CHS Field, the boys are starting to boarder on ridiculousness - if they haven't passed that threshold already.The first three games of the home stand were played against the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks starting Friday, July 3rd. The Saints won two of three using great starting pitching performances to take the first and last games of the series, extending their winning streak to thirteen straight series to start the year. In the first game, Kramer Sneed went 7.2 innings allowing only two runs while striking out six in route to a 4-2 victory. Two days later Pedro Hernandez sung

, leading the Saints to a 3-2 victory by tossing 8.2 innings allowing two runs and mowing down nine Redhawks.

 

 Ben Szeremeta writes about the Saints regularly at SaintsTrain.com 

 

The second half of the homestand saw the Ottawa Champions visit St. Paul for the first time to play a four game set. Once again the Saints won the series taking three of the four games. Fourteen series victories in row! This time it was the Saints offense that carried the team to victory. In the first game Alonzo Harris put on a show going 4-6 with two runs scored, four RBI, and a home run. In the final two wins Angelo Songco put the team on his back going a combined 6-7 with four runs, two doubles, two RBI, and a go ahead two run blast in Wednesday's 5-3 win. The bomb to right was Songco's 100th career professional home run. Congrats Angelo!

 

My MVP for the series is the entire Saints team. I know this sounds like a cop out to pick the whole team. But really, with the way they played there is no way to pick one MVP and feel good about everyone you left out. During the home stand there was outstanding starting pitching, shutdown bullpen work, and big time clutch hitting from a number of different players. Even though I now need to invest in a bigger home stand MVP trophy to fit all the names on it. It's a team game and the team won. I feel good about it.

 

On the entertainment side of the ball the week long home stand had plenty of fun to satisfy everyone. Back-to-back firework shows started the weekend. The first night being the Saints regular Friday night show, and the second being the City of St. Paul's 4th of July super show. Prior to the big show starting Saturday night, which was late due to an extra inning game, there was a very large crowd gathering outside the ballpark to get a seat for the festivities. It was amazing to see so many people on the streets awaiting the start. Once they did get going they did not disappoint any of the almost 10,000 people in the park or the estimated 3,000 more outside.

 

Back to the Future's 30th Anniversary night brought us some of the best in between inning entertainment ever. The Saints staged a three-part Kinky Spin the Bottle contest that followed the story of the movie. It was a hilarious way to pay homage to a classic. From Biff picking on George, to Marty seeing siblings disappear from his picture, and finally George decking Biff and kissing his wife to restore the picture. It was great.

 

For us, the fun at the ballpark was everywhere this time around. Literally, everywhere. We started off in the Saints picnic area Friday at the Twins Daily BFF party, and then watched fireworks from the "Crowley Perch", an open area next to the suites where Saints organist Andrew Crowley plays. We also tok pictures from the photographer corner in the visitors’ dugout during a game and then we even sat in our seats for three-quarters of a game. Once again it was a great time at the ballpark watching our favorite team continue to win, and our favorite entertainers continue to make us laugh and smile.

 

The Saints immediately left CHS field to start their next road trip the following night in Winnipeg. The Goldeyes proved to be a worthy foe in the four game series, halting the Saints fourteen series winning streak by splitting the games two apiece. Even with the split the Saints still have not lost a series all season. Again, they have not lost a series through the entire first half of the season.

 

As of Tuesday, July 14th the Saints have a 16 game lead over Sioux Falls in the North Division. They also own the best record in the league at 38-12(!)

 

Next up on the team's travels is a stop in Sioux Falls. The Saints and Canaries are set to play four games starting Wednesday the 15th. Let's start another series winning streak and get the division lead up to 20 guys!

 

The boys of summer return to Lowertown this weekend, July 19^th, to start a long Sunday to Sunday eight game home stand. The Winnipeg Goldeyes and Lincoln Saltdogs both visit CHS Field for four games each.

 

Mid-July is one of our favorite times of the year. This is because our friends that live in Mexico come to town for a couple weeks. And of course, we always go to a Saints game. Last year their two boys were even able to run in an in between inning race. I can't wait to see what fun we all get into this year.

 

Go Saints!!!

 

TRAIN!

 

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[theBOMisthebomb]

It has been a perfect storm for the Saints this year - brand new, shiny, beautiful ballpark and .800 winning percentge. Let's hope they keep rolling to the title. Keep the Saints posts coming.