Dean Grand Slam Helps Lead Dogs to Fifth Straight Win, 9-3
ROSEMONT, Ill. — Jordan Dean launched the go-ahead grand slam in the fifth to give Carlos Zambrano the win as the Chicago Dogs defeated the St. Paul Saints, 9-3 on Saturday night at Impact Field.
Trailing by two with the bases loaded, Dean struck a 1-1 pitch over the left field wall to put Chicago ahead by a pair. The bullpen held down the fort from there, securing the Dogs’ fifth straight win.
In his final start of the season, Zambrano (W, 4-1) was sharp, allowing three earned runs on eight hits while striking out five in five innings of work.
St. Paul struck first in the opening frame, with Brady Shoemaker hitting a solo homer to make it 1-0.
Mitchell Kranson followed suit in the bottom of the second with a solo shot of his own, his second of the season, to tie the game at one.
The Saints reclaimed the lead with two runs in the top of the fifth. After Dan Motl crossed home on a wild pitch, Jabari Henry smacked an RBI double to give St. Paul a 3-1 advantage.
That lead would be short-lived, however. In the fifth inning, Dean launched his grand slam, long ball number fifteen of the year, to put the Dogs ahead, 5-3. Later in the frame, Tony Rosselli ripped an RBI single to score Trey Vavra and extend the lead to three.
Harrison Smith, Jalen Miller, and Luke Wilkins then tossed three scoreless frames, combining for one hit allowed and five strikeouts.
Victor Roache drew a bases-loaded walk and Vavra smoked a two-run single in the bottom of the eighth for three insurance runs.
Ben Allison, making his first appearance since July 25, dealt a 1-2-3 ninth to secure the win.
LHP Austin Wright (7-7, 4.15 ERA) will get the start tomorrow, with first pitch slated for 6:05 PM.
Fans can tune in to The Chicago Dogs Baseball Network to watch all Dogs home games. For more updates, follow @TheChicagoDogs on social media and use the hashtag #TakeABite.
By Sam Brief
