Saints’ offense explodes in win against Iowa Cubs

TL;DR

The St. Paul Saints defeated the Iowa Cubs 16-2, hitting seven home runs and tying a franchise record with 11 extra-base hits. This victory gives the Saints a 3-2 lead in the series ahead of the final game.

Key points

St. Paul Saints won 16-2 against Iowa Cubs
Saints hit seven home runs, tying franchise record
Saints had 11 extra-base hits in the game
Saints lead the series 3-2 heading into the final game

St. Paul SaintsIowa Cubs

(Pioneer Press: John Autey/Pioneer Press/TNS)

The St. Paul Saints started out a home series against the Iowa Cubs on Tuesday by knocking out six home runs in a 9-5 win. Iowa, which features one of the International League’s top offenses, took two of the next three games, scoring 18 runs in the process.

Saturday was St. Paul’s turn to cross the plate with regularity.

The Saints hit seven home runs, tying a CHS Field record and tying the third-most in franchise history, in beating the Cubs 16-2. St. Paul tied a franchise record with 11 extra-base hits. It had the leadoff hitter reach in each of the first seven innings and scored in all but one inning to take a 3-2 lead in the series heading into Sunday’s finale at 2:07 p.m.

Of the nine starters, eight had hits, seven had multiple hits. Eight of the starts scored a run with seven scoring multiple runs, while eight drove in at least a run.

Kyler Fedko led the way with three hits, including his eighth home run of the season. Orlando Arcia homered twice, Ryan Kreidler had a three-run home run in the first inning and Alex Jackson added his fourth long ball of the season to put the Saints ahead 9-1 in third.

Twins top prospect Walker Jenkins had two hits, including second home run of the season, drove in three runs and scored twice. Another top prospect, Kaelen Culpepper, hit his sixth homer of the season. Jenkins and Culpepper each added a stolen base, for good measure.

St. Paul now lead the International League with 51 homers this season.

Enjoying the run support was right-handed starter Zebby Matthews (2-2). Matthews allowed one run on three hits and three walks, while striking out seven in five innings.