Saints Officially Eliminated in 4-3 Loss in 11

ST. PAUL, MN (August 25, 2010) -- The season began with such high hopes for the St. Paul Saints, but for the third consecutive year there will be no postseason baseball as they were officially eliminated on Wednesday night in a 4-3, 11 inning loss to the Sioux City Explorers in the final home game of the season in front of 7,215.

With the Saints leading 3-2 going into the ninth inning, Saints reliever Joe D'Alessandro gave up a lead off, solo homer to Ray Serrano, his sixth of the season, tying the game at three.

In the 11th Frank Viola III hit lead off man Darrick Hale. Derek Schermerhorn sacrificed him to second and with two outs Eric Williams walked. Dustin Jones' single to left scored Hale for the go ahead and eventual winning run.

The Explorers jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the second when Kent Sakamoto tripled and scored on a sacrifice fly from Ray Serrano.

It took until the sixth for the Saints to take the lead, but they did it as Jason Cooper doubled with two outs. The double was his second of the game and 49th extra base hit of the season surpassing Scott Bryant's record of 48 in 1997. Brent Krause reached on an infield single and a walk to Josh Burrus loaded the bases. Gerard Haran walked to force in a run tying the game at one and Brandon Carter's infield single gave the Saints a 2-1 lead.

The Explorers tied it in the seventh when Steve Pearson came through with an RBI single.

The Saints answered back in the bottom of the inning when Ole Sheldon clubbed his 22nd homer of the season, a solo shot to left, to give the Saints a 3-2 lead, but they would not be able to hang on.

The Saints will finish the season up with a four game series at Sioux Falls Stadium against the Sioux Falls Pheasants beginning Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. The Saints send RHP Kyle Foster 2-6, 4.73). The game can be heard on Relevant Radio 1330.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Saints