American Association Daily Recap: September 8, 2019
In this edition of American Association Daily, Robert Pannier examines the highlights, transactions and news from the American Association for September 8, 2019. There were two playoff games on Sunday, including the St. Paul Saints winning on a walk-off hit by Blake Schmit to force a Game 5 and the Sioux City Explorers advancing to the American Association Championship series.
Daily Recaps: September 8, 2019
Schmit Walk-Off Hit Forces Game 5
Blake Schmit drove home the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning as the St. Paul Saints defeated the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, 1-0. The victory kept the Saints season alive, forcing a Game 5.
Ryan Zimmerman and Bret Helton were locked in a classic playoff pitchers duel, as both starters were absolutely brilliant. Zimmerman allowed three hits and no runs in 7.1 innings, and Helton tossed six scoreless innings. Zimmerman set a single game high with 10 strikeouts.
Sermo, Explorers Advance to Championship Series, 5-2
Jose Sermo tripled home two runs in the top of the 13th inning as the Sioux City Explorers downed the Kansas City T-Bones, 5-2, advancing to the American Association Championship series. Singles by Nate Samson and Jeremy Hazelbaker put two runners on with one down. Sermo’s drive to the gap scored both runners and he would score on a sacrifice fly. Sermo finished with three RBI.
Matt Pobereyko was brilliant in relief, tossing four no hit innings to earn the victory. Pobereyko struck out seven.
American Association Notes
The 1-0 victory over the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks on Sunday was only the second 1-0 playoff win in Saints history…The St. Paul Saints are 3-7 in Game 5 contests all-time. The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks are 3-3 in Game 5s.
By Robert Pannier
