GRAND PRAIRIE, TX (July 15, 2010) – For just the second time this season the St. Paul Saints swept a team as they defeated the Grand Prairie AirHogs 8-1 on Thursday night at QuickTrip Park and completed a three game sweep.

 

            Saints starter Zach Peterson proved to be the big difference early in the ballgame when it looked like the AirHogs were going to pile up runs in the first. Peterson gave up a lead off single to David Espinosa and then uncharacteristically walked the next two hitters to load the bases. Peterson, however, gave up just a sacrifice fly to Michael Holliman and then got Aaron Garza to pop out and Robert Perry to ground out to end the inning allowing just a run.

 

            The Saints offense took some time to get going, but they did so in the fifth courtesy of some porous AirHogs defense. Edgard Clemente led off with a single and Brent Krause reached on a fielder’s choice. Flint Wipke then hit a grounder to short, but Todd Sandel’s throw to Espinosa at second was dropped putting runners at first and second. Josh Petersen followed with an RBI single and advanced to second on the throw to third. Steve Mays gave the Saints a 2-1 lead with a sacrifice fly. A botched pick off attempt at second moved Petersen to third and Josh Alley’s single to center scored Petersen making it 3-1.

 

            That was all Peterson needed as he got out of jams in the fourth, runners at first and third and one out, and a bases loaded two out jam in the sixth. He went 6.0 innings allowing one run on five hits while walking three and striking out six to win his fourth consecutive decision.

 

            With the Saints up 4-1 in the ninth they put the game away. Wipke led off by being hit by a pitch. He was sacrificed to second and with two outs Alley doubled him home. Alley went 3-4 with two doubles, two RBI and a run scored. Brandon Carter followed with an RBI single. Ole Sheldon walked and Jason Cooper tripled home two.

 

            The Saints outscored the AirHogs 31-7 in the series and sent them to 0-10 in the second half.

 

            The Saints head to Cohen Stadium for a three game series against the El Paso Diablos on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. Mountain Time, 8:05 p.m. Central Time. The Saints send RHP Jason Godin (4-2, 4.67) to the mound against Diablos RHP Amad Stephens (3-6, 5.27). The game can be heard on Relevant Radio 1330.