Late Inning Loss Hurts Saints Playoff Hopes

ST. PAUL, MN (August 23, 2010) -- The St. Paul Saints couldn't come up with the big pitches late in the game and lost for just the third time this season when leading after seven, 7-6 to the Sioux City Explorers at Midway Stadium on Monday night in front of 4,923. The Saints dropped 3.5 games out of the second half division lead and 3.0 games out of the wild card with just six games left.

With the Saints leading 6-5 in the eighth Ray Serrano doubled with one out. With two outs and Serrano at third the Saints intentionally walked Derek Schermerhorn, who was hitting over .400 against the Saints this season, putting runners at the corners. The Saints went to their bullpen for Kyle Foster. Schermerhorn stole second and a bloop single to right by Javier Brown scored both runs giving the Explorers the lead and ultimately the victory.

The Explorers jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first two innings. In the first Jacob Cruz doubled home Dustin Jones to give them a 1-0 lead.

In the second Serrano doubled, moved to third on an errant pick off attempt and scored on a single from Schermerhorn to make it 2-0. Brown's single moved Schermerhorn to third and two batters later he scored on a sacrifice fly by Jones to make it 3-0.

The Saints answered back with authority in the third and it started with the bottom of the order. With one out Brandon Carter singled to left-center and Steve Butler walked. Josh Alley's double scored Carter to make it 3-1. Two batters later Ole Sheldon hit a three-run homer to left, his 21st of the season, to give the Saints a 4-3 lead.

Brent Krause got in on the home run fun in the fourth when he hit a solo shot to left-center, his sixth of the season to give the Saints a 5-3 lead.

The Explorers tied it in the sixth when Kent Sakamoto walked and moved to second on a single by Tim Alberts. Schermerhorn tripled them both home tying the game at five.

Gerard Haran gave the Saints a 6-5 lead with a solo blast to left, his 11th of the season, but the Saints would be unable to hang on.

The same two teams meet in game two of the three game series Tuesday evening at 7:05 p.m. at Midway Stadium. The Saints send RHP Jason Godin (7-6, 5.01) to the mound against Explorers LHP David Welch (8-5, 3.69). It is "Our Best Bud" Night as the first 2,500 fans in attendance will receive a Bud Selig statue. The game can be seen on the Saints Cable Network (check saintsbaseball.com for the channel in your area) and heard on Relevant Radio 1330.

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