A night after Cleburne Railroaders starter Patrick Mincey outdueled St. Paul Saints ace Mark Hamburger, it was Laetten Galbraith who delivered the big outing, allowing just one-run in 6-innings as the Railroaders pulled out the 5-1 victory, giving them 10 wins in their last 13. Maikol Gonzalez had 2-hits and scored 2-runs and Pichi Balet drove in 2 in the victory.

The Cleburne Railroaders took the lead in the top of the first. Maikol Gonzalez started out the game with a walk. Mitch Glasser followed by grounding to second. Tony Thomas received the ball, but fumbled it and then had no play. Nick Van Stratten grounded out, moving both runners up and a wild pitch brought Gonzalez home. With Glasser at third and two down, another wild pitch scored him to make it 2-0.

The Saints responded with a run in the bottom half of the inning. Kes Carter walked to start the frame. Breland Almadova then laid down a bunt. The Cleburne catcher pounced out from behind the plate and looked originally at second, but realized that he did not have a play. He threw to first but it was too late and St. Paul had runners at first and second with no one out. A fly ball allowed Carter to move to third and he scored when Brady Shoemaker delivered a sacrifice fly to score Carter to make it 2-1.

From there it would stay a tight ball game. The Saints had their chances to at least tie the score, particularly in the sixth, when they would load the bases with one out and had the heart of the order up. However, Railroaders starter Laetten Galbraith struck out Anthony Gallas before getting Tony Thomas on a ground out to end the threat.

Two innings later, the Cleburne Railroaders took a commanding lead. Alex Polston walked to start the inning and moved to third on a base hit by Gonzalez. Glasser walked to load the bases and there was still no one out. Brandon Peterson struck out Van Stratten, and Geraldo Valentin followed with a sacrifice fly to make it 3-1. After Glasser stole second Pichi Balet singled home both runners to make it 5-1.

Laetten Galbraith (2-1) went 6-innings, allowing 5-hits and a run. He struck out 2. Maikol Gonzalez finished 2-3 with 2-runs for Cleburne. Pichi Balet finished 2-4 with 2-RBI. Kes Carter was 2-3 with a run scored for the St. Paul Saints.

The Railroaders go for the sweep tomorrow. Alberto Rodriguez (4-5, 2.87) will go for Cleburne. First pitch is set for 5:05.

Boxscore

By Robert Pannier