2023 Season: Game 139-144 Recaps – Game Dates September 12-17, 2023
Note: The Saints began the week four games out of a potential triple-A International League playoff spot with 12 games remaining as they opened a 6-game series in Des Moines against the Iowa Cubs. Remaining game times against Iowa are 12:08 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, 7:08 Friday, 6:08 Saturday, and 1:08 Sunday.
Saints 4, Cubs 1
Tuesday, Sept. 12
The Saints got to Iowa’s starting pitcher for three quick runs, then relied on their own hurlers to secure a 4-1 win over the Cubs in the opener of a 6-game series in Des Moine, IA last night (Tuesday).
St. Paul is still four games out of the triple-A International League playoffs with 11 games to go in the regular season. (If anybody knows the mathematical chances, or oddsmakers’ offerings, of the Saints securing the final spot, please shoot me an email at johnclinger@gmail.com.)
Martin put the Saints up 1-0 in the 1st inning by slashing a double that scored Larnach. Severino hit his 33rd home run in the minor leagues this season to open the 2nd. Camargo followed with a triple and came home on a single by Helman to give St. Paul a 3-0 cushion halfway through the 3rd.
With the Saints pitching “by committee” again because some of their starters are now with the Twins, McMahon worked the first two innings. A key moment in the game came when one of the Cubs’ best hitters was charged with a pitch violation, resulting in an automatic third strike, for not “re-engaging” the pitcher with 8 seconds left in the pitching cycle after the timeout he had called. The International League is experimenting with this rule as well as the Automatic Ball-Strike (ABS) system, and they could be coming to the major leagues as early as next season.
The two teams traded a run apiece in the bottom of the 3rd and top of the 4th. The Saint’s run came when Camargo reached 1st base on a throwing error, stole 2nd, and scored on another single by Helman.
The Saints’ relief committee of Schulfer (W, 6-3), Brice, Henriquez and Sands (S, 3) shut down the Cubs in the final 5-1/3 innings with no runs, 2 walks and 9 strikeouts.
How to Hear and See the Saints
All games on KFAN Plus (96.7 FM), I-Heart app, MiLB.TV, Bally app (Apple only); home games on local television public programming (consult your TV listings); Saturday and Sunday home games televised on WUCW (The CW Network).