Saints Bats Silenced as Goldeyes Sweep, 5-2
FARGO, ND (August 1, 2020) – It’s getting late early for the St. Paul Saints. As they near the halfway point of the season they are beginning to dig themselves a mighty hole to climb out of in hopes of making the playoffs for the third consecutive season. In Game 2 of a doubleheader against the Winnipeg Goldeyes their offense couldn’t muster much against Goldeyes starter Frank Duncan in a 5-2 loss on Saturday afternoon at Newman Outdoor Field.
Nick Belzer got the start for the Saints and the Goldeyes got to him in the first inning with two outs. Eric Wood singled to right-center and Kyle Martin delivered a two-run homer to right, his fifth of the season, giving the Goldeyes a 2-0 lead.
In the third, Martin came calling again. Kevin LaChance led off by reaching on a throwing error by third baseman Chesny Young. Darnell Sweeney followed with a single off of third base umpire Marty Bauer, putting runners at first and second. With one out, Kyle Martin ripped a double down the first base line scoring LaChance to make it 3-0. With two outs John Nester singled home a pair giving the Goldeyes a 5-0 lead. Belzer lasted 3.0 innings allowing five runs (four earned) on four hits.
The Saints had some chances early on. In the first, Samson reached on an infield single and, with two outs, Chris Chinea got aboard on a fielding error by Wes Darvill at third. John Silviano, however, grounded out to third to end the inning.
In the third with two outs, Samson doubled, but Chesny Young grounded back to the mound to end the inning.
In the fifth Mitch Ghelfi led off with a double and moved to third on a one out single by Samson. He finished the game 3-3 with a double. Young, however, grounded into an inning ending double play.
The Saints finally got to Duncan in the sixth when Josh Allen walked with two outs. Max Murphy followed with a two-run opposite field homer to right, his fourth of the season, cutting the deficit to three. Duncan went 6.0 innings allowing two runs on five hits while walking two and striking out two.
The Saints got a superb relief performance from Matt Quintana, who had started his last four outings. He went 3.0 shutout innings of relief allowing one hit and striking out seven.
The Saints couldn’t do much against Goldeyes closer Victor Capellan, getting a two out walk and nothing else. The save for Capellan was his 70th in the American Association, tying former Sioux Falls Canaries and Kansas City T-Bone closer, Kris Regas.
The same two teams play in the finale of the three-game series on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. The Saints send RHP Matt Solter (3-1, 4.50) to the mound against Goldeyes LHP Mitchell Lambson (3-1, 4.73). The game can be heard on KFAN Plus, 96.7 FM.
By Sean Aronson, St. Paul Saints
