The St. Paul Saints will head to the All-Star break winners of three straight, after sweeping the Salina Stockade thanks to Mark Hamburger. The right-hander tossed seven solid innings, allowing just two runs to earn his 10th victory of the season, and Mitch Delfino had a perfect night at the plate, going 3-3 in the 7-2 victory.

Salina took the lead in the top of the first-inning, when Kewby Meyer led off the game with a triple into left-center. Jonathan Moroney followed with a base hit into left that brought home Meyer and the Stockade were up 1-0.

In the bottom of the second, the Saints would take the lead. Back-to-back walks to Tony Thomas and Kes Carter led off the inning, and both runners advanced on a sacrifice by Maxx Garrett. After a walk to Jon Kristoffersen, Breeland Almadova hit a sacrifice fly that brought home Thomas to tie the game. Tim Colwell walked to load the bases once again and a wild pitch scored Carter to put St. Paul on top. The Saints had scored two runs in the inning without the benefit of a hit.

It would stay that way until the fourth, when St. Paul would extend their lead to six. A double by Kristoffersen started off the inning. Two batters later, Colwell doubled to score Kristoffersen to extend the lead to two. Colwell stole third and scored on a groundout by Brady Shoemaker to make the score 4-1. After Anthony Gallas was hit by a pitch, Nate Hanson walked to put two on with one out. A double by Mitch Delfino brought home Gallas and Ben Buerkle singled into right field to score both Hanson and Delfino to make the score 7-1.

The Stockade had threatened against Hamburger since scoring in the first, but the right-hander had always figured out a way to keep Salina from getting back into the ballgame. In the top of the six, they were finally able to score a run off the Saints starter. Hamburger struck out the first two batters of the inning, but Daniel Aldrich singled to center field to keep the inning alive before Jordan Caillouet walked to put two on. A base hit by Aaron Olivas brought home Aldrich to make the score 7-2. That is as close as the Stockade would get.

Mark Hamburger (10-2) went 7-innings, allowing 9-hits, a walk and 2-earned runs. He struck out 6. Hamburger will be the starter in Tuesday night’s All-Star game.

Mitch Delfino was 3-3 with a run and an RBI for the Saints. Tim Colwell was 2-4 with a run and an RBI. Aaron Olivas led the Stockade offense, going 2-3 with an RBI.

The Saints are off for two-days for the All-Star break. They continue on Wednesday with a two-game series at home against the Sioux City Explorers. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05.

Boxscore

By Robert Pannier