It was looking to be a positive day at CHS Field as multi-run homers by Aaron Sabato and Hendry Mendez staked St. Paul to a 5-2 lead over Columbus after two innings. However, the Clippers flipped the script, scoring five runs of their own over the fourth and fifth frames to take the lead for good in an 11-7 Saints defeat on Saturday.
Sabato's round-tripper plated two runners, while Mendez's shot brought home three as St. Paul appeared to be poised to take the game over. But the hosts logged just one more tally for the rest of the game in the four-run loss.
Saints starting pitcher Ryan Gallagher was tagged for seven earned runs in four innings of work, striking out seven while allowing seven hits and two walks in taking the loss
Sabato went 2 for 5 with a double to go with his home run, while Mendez's homer was his lone hit of the day to go with a walk in five plate appearances. Gabriel Gonzalez was 4 for 4 with an RBI and run scored. Kyler Fedko was 3 for 4, though his teammates never managed to bring him home. Tanner Schobel was 2 for 5 with a run scored.
The two teams will wrap up their weeklong series at 2:07 p.m. Sunday. The Saints have won three of the five games played so far in the series.
