ST. PAUL, Minn. — The St. Paul Saints (47-15) went on two six-run sprees, salvaging a series split with a 12-4 victory over the Saltdogs (24-37) in front of 8,020 fans at CHS Field Sunday evening.
After the Saltdogs strung together three straight two-out hits to take a 1-0 lead on an Aaron Payne single in the second, the Saints exploded for five runs in the third and added another in the fourth.
With two down in the fifth Eddie Young worked a base on balls to snap Dustin Crenshaw’s 76 2/3 inning streak without a walk, followed by a Mitch Canham triple and Curt Smith two-run dinger to pull the ‘Dogs to 6-4.
St. Paul slammed back on the accelerator with four in the home fifth and another deuce in the seventh to pull away and stay unbeaten through 18 series.
Crenshaw (10-1) pitched seven innings, allowing four runs to earn the win. Jesse Smith (2-5) yielded eight runs in four-plus innings to take the loss.
Smith paced the ‘Dogs offense, going 2-for-4 with a home run and a double. Mike Kvasnicka went 2-for-4 with four RBI, and has driven in 13 runs in five games against Lincoln.
The Saltdogs are off Monday and Tuesday for the All-Star Break, and return to Haymarket Park to open a three-game series with the Sioux City Explorers Wednesday night at 6:35 p.m. Radio coverage begins at 6:05 p.m. on KFOR FM 103.3/1240 AM.