WICHITA, KS(July 23, 2010) – The St. Paul Saints faced the best pitcher in the league in Wichita Wingnuts All-Star Nick Singleton, but they sent out their own All-Star, Jake Schmidt. In the end it was Singleton who outpitched Schmidt as the Saints lost 6-2 on Friday night at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium.

 

            The Saints came out swinging in the first and looked like they were going to have success against Singleton. Josh Alley led off the game with a double to left and Brandon Carter followed that with an RBI double to a center giving the Saints a 1-0 lead. The problem, however, was no Saints could pick up Carter, which became the theme of the night.

 

            The Wingnuts answered quickly with their first two hitters in the bottom of the first as Joseph Spiers singled to center and Ryan Patterson followed with a two-run homer, his eighth of the season.

 

            The Wingnuts made it 4-1 in the second inning when Steve Pearson walked, Jeff Christy doubled and, with one out, Spiers singled them both home. He finished the night 4-4 with two RBI, two runs scored and three stolen bases.

 

            In the fourth Schmidt gave up two more runs when Spiers singled, stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error from catcher Gerard Haran. With two outs Jorge Cortes walked and Michael Bell followed with a two-run double.

 

            Schmidt went 6.0 innings allowing six runs on 10 hits while walking five and striking out four. His counterpart, pitched out of mini jams in nearly every inning.

 

            In the second Steve Butler tripled with two outs, his first career triple, but was left stranded. In the third Carter led off with a double, but was left stranded at third. In the fifth Carter tripled with one out, but could not score again. Carter finished the night 3-5 with two doubles, a triple and an RBI. Singleton went 6.1 innings allowing one run on five hits while walking one and striking out six lowering his league best ERA to 2.29.

 

            Josh Petersen went 0-4 ending his hitting streak at a career tying high 12 games and ending his streak of 19 consecutive games reaching base safely.

 

            The same two teams meet Saturday evening at 7:05 p.m. at Larence-Dumont Stadium in game two of the three game series. The Saints send LHP Ryan Morse (4-2, 5.13) against Wingnuts RHP Adam Cowart (3-6, 4.64). The game can be heard on Relevant Radio 1330.