The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks don’t just have a red-associated name, they are also the hottest team in the American Association and that continued in Game 1 of their four-game series with the St. Paul Saints Thursday night. Tyler Alexander struck out 10, the second time he has reached double-digits in that category this season, as the RedHawks won 6-2. Former Saint Trever Adams drove in three and Josh Mazzola added two more RBI in the victory. That moved Fargo-Moorhead to 3 games ahead of St. Paul.

After a scoreless first, the RedHawks took the lead in the second. Josh Mazzola led off the inning with a single into right field, and Trever Adams followed with a two-run shot over the left field wall to put Fargo-Moorhead up 2-0.

An inning later, that lead would become five. With one down, Devan Ahart beat out a ground ball for a single and moved to second on a sharp single by Keury De La Cruz to right field. Chris Grayson then reached on an error to load the bases. That brought Mazzola back to the plate, who lined a double into left field, bringing both Ahart and De La Cruz home to make it a four-run lead. Adams then hit a sacrifice fly that scored Grayson to make it 5-0.

The Saints came up with a run in the bottom half of the inning. Tim Colwell singled to start out the frame, then stole second base. Breland Almodova walked to put two on and both runners moved up on the double steal. Two batters later, Nate Hanson grounded out to bring home Colwell to make it 5-1.

In the fifth, Fargo-Moorhead would add one more run. Ahart let off the inning by drilling a ball to the wall in right-center that he legged out for a triple. He came home on a sacrifice fly by De La Cruz to extend the lead back to five.

While the offense was giving him a sizable lead, Tyler Alexander was in complete control of this game. After striking out just one batter through the first three frames, he would strike out nine over the next four, completely keeping St. Paul off balance. He never allowed more than one hit in any inning, and two batters reached in a frame only twice in his seven innings of work.

In the bottom of the eighth, an error allowed JJ Gould to reach second and that would be the last batter that Tyler Alexander (4-5) would face. The left-hander went 7-plus innings, allowing 5-hits, one-earned run, and 2-walks. He fanned 10.

Richie Tate came on in relief. He retired the first batter, but gave up a double to Anthony Gallas that brought home Gould to make this a four-run game. The Saints would get no closer, falling 6-2.

Trever Adams finished the game 1-3 with a run and 3-RBI. Josh Mazzola was 2-3 with a run and 2-RBI. Chris Grayson walked three times in the contest. The St. Paul Saints were led by Nate Hanson who was 2-4 with an RBI.

These two teams will continue their four-game series tomorrow. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05.

Boxscore

By Robert Pannier