Bats use eight-run fourth inning to blow past Saints, 12-1
The fourth inning of the St. Paul Saints’ game Saturday night against the Louisville Bats was easily their worst inning of the season. The Bats tallied five hits, three walks and the Saints made three errors in the eight-run frame, which Louisville used to power its way to a 12-1 victory at Louisville Slugger Field in Louisville, Ky.
The eight runs were the most the Saints (39-28) have allowed in an inning all season.
The first seven Bats hitters in the fourth reached safely, starting with Christian Encarnacion-Strand drawing a walk. Matt Reynolds, who earlier hit a solo homer in the second, was also walked, and a Henry Ramos single paired with a Mark Contreras throwing error scored both Encarnacion-Strand and Reynolds. Michael Siani then drew a walk before stealing second, and Tony Wolters’ throw to the base went into center field, allowing Ramos to score.
After a pair of singles from Chuckie Robinson and Nick Martini brought home another run to extend the Bats’ lead to 5-1, Jose Barrero crushed a three-run homer, his first of the season, to extend the lead to 8-1. Encarnacion-Strand doubled after a pitching change, and the Bats (37-29) added one more in the inning when a Reynolds pop-up was dropped by Chris Williams at first, allowing Encarnacion-Strand to score.
Blayne Enlow started for the Saints, making his Triple-A debut. He lasted just three innings while allowing seven hits, eight runs (all earned) and walking three. He did, however, finish his day with five strikeouts.
Trevor Larnach hit a solo home run in the fourth inning for the Saints’ lone run. His long ball extended their home run streak to 22 straight games.
