2023 Season: Game 144 Recap – Sept. 19
Jair Camargo, he of the grand slam, joined Chris Williams with 20 home runs on the season to help the Saints dunk the MudHens of Toledo, 4-2, last night (Tuesday) at CHS Field.
Camargo’s shot in the 2nd inning was of the two-run variety and staked the Saints to a 2-0 lead. Gallo and Larnach singled in the 4th to drive in the other two runs, which they would need when Dingler of the MudHens went yard in the top of the 9th to narrow Toledo’s deficit to two runs.
Camargo (3) and Williams (2), both catchers, have five of the Saints’ 13 grand slams this year and 40 of the team’s 199 homers. Not to brag for the Saints, but the 13 grand salamis are the most at any level of American baseball this year and the most in the most in the triple-A International League since at least 2005.
Chris Paddack, one of five Twins players on rehab assignments with the Saints, pitched three scoreless, hitless innings, walking one batter and striking out seven of them. He was the only pitcher to go more than one inning as the Saints used McMahon, Schulfer, Boyle, Stewart, Alcala (all scoreless) and Balazovic to get three outs apiece.
Balazovic got into trouble by walking the first two batters he faced in the 9th, got a reprieve on a crucial double play (St. Paul’s fourth) before allowing the 2-run homer, and finally, ended the game with a strikeout.
The Saints snapped the 5-game losing streak that last week eliminated them from playoffs contention. They improved their record to 81-63 overall and 38-32 in the second half.
The season-ending series continues tonight (Wednesday) at 6:37 p.m. Game Thursday through Saturday will also start at 6:37 and Sunday’s season finale at 12:07 p.m.
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).