In this edition of American Association Daily, Robert Pannier examines the highlights, transactions and news from the American Association for September 10, 2019. There was just one playoff game on Tuesday, as the St. Paul Saints defeated the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks to advance to the American Association Championship series.

Daily Recaps: September 10, 2019

Saints Rally to Down RedHawks, Advance to Championship, 9-7

Twice the St. Paul Saints would find themselves trailing in Game 5 of the North Division Championship series, but would rally each time, eventually defeating the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, 9-7. The RedHawks took a five run lead in the top of the third, chasing Saints starter Chris Lee. The big blow came on a two run single by Carlos Garcia.

St. Paul was held scoreless until the bottom of the sixth when they would tie the score. Chris Baker’s first hit of the series, a three run homer tied the score at five. However, Leobaldo Pina would put the RedHawks back on top with a two run homerun in the top of the eighth. Down to their final six outs, St. Paul would rally for four runs in the bottom of the frame to take a 9-7 lead. Tanner Kiest closed it out to send the Saints onto the championship series.

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Boxscore

American Association Notes

The Saints became just the third team in American Association history to lose the first two games of a series and rally to win the final three to advance. The last to do so was the 2011 Grand Prairie AirHogs, who did it in 2011 against St. Paul…The Saints and Explorers have met in the playoffs just one time before. That was in 2015 when the Explorers won 3-1…The Lincoln Saltdogs Haymarket Park was named the best playing surface in the league for the 19th straight year.

By Robert Pannier