Scott Carroll Stymies Saints Offense, as T-Bones Win 7-2
The St. Paul Saints travelled to Kansas City on Thursday following a three-game series with Texas where they had blanked the AirHogs in all three contests. However, the T-Bones broke the Saints 24-inning scoreless streak in the first inning, riding the arm of Scott Carroll on their way to the 7-2 victory. Leonardo Rojas drove in 3 and Zach Walters drove in 2 more in the victory.
Following a scoreless top of the first inning, Kansas City grabbed a run in the bottom half of the inning. Omar Garcia started the frame with a single and moved to second when Corey Williams made an error on a pickoff attempt. With two down, Zach Walters delivered a base hit that scored Garcia and the scoreless streak came to a thundering halt.
It remained a one-run game until the bottom of the third when the T-Bones added two more runs. Garcia got the inning going here as well, as he was hit by a pitch to start the frame. An error by Nate Hanson allowed Marcus Lemon to reach base, putting runners at first and second with no one out. Kevin Keyes walked to load the bases. Next up was Walters, who grounded to the shortstop. The throw to second retired Keyes on the fielder’s choice, but the throw to first was wild. Two runners scored on the play to extend the lead to three.
In the bottom of the fourth, Kansas City would blow this game open thanks to back-to-back homers. Chantz Mack walked to start the inning and moved to second on a base hit by Patrick Brady. That brought Rojas to the plate, who crushed a three-run home run to make the score 6-0. That was his third homer of the year. That brought Eddie Newton to the plate who delivered a home run, to give the T-Bones a seven-run lead. It was Newton’s second home run of the season.
Trailing 7-0, the St. Paul Saints were able to get on the board in the top of the fifth. Anthony Gallas tripled and came home on a base hit by Tim Colwell. Two innings later Gallas would be the catalyst for another run. He singled with two outs, and came home on a double by Tony Caldwell. That made the score 7-2, but that is as close as the Saints would get.
Scott Carroll (2-1) went 7-innings, allowing 7-hits, 2-walks, and 2-earned runs, while striking out 2. Leonardo Rojas was 1-4 with a run and 3-RBI, and Zach Walters was 2-4 with 2-RBI. For the Saints, Anthony Gallas led the way, going 3-4 with 2-runs scored.
These two teams will continue their three-game series tomorrow. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05.
Read Feature on St. Paul Saints Pitching Coach Kerry Ligtenberg
By Robert Pannier
