Saints Blanked In Penultimate Game of Season, 4-0 To Clippers
COLUMBUS, OH (September 19, 2026) - It had that feeling of a second to last game of the season. Lot of early in the count swings and not much in terms of scoring chances. The St. Paul Saints managed just one runner as far as second and were blanked for
COLUMBUS, OH (September 19, 2026) - It had that feeling of a second to last game of the season. Lot of early in the count swings and not much in terms of scoring chances. The St. Paul Saints managed just one runner as far as second and were blanked for the second time in the series, losing 4-0 to the Columbus Clippers on Saturday night at Huntington Park.
A lengthy 30 pitch first inning by Jack Anderson led to two runs for the Clippers. Cooper Ingle led off the inning with a single to right-center. With two outs, a nine pitch at bat by Kyle Manzardo ended in an RBI double to right-center making it 1-0. Kody Huff then hit a ground ball down the third base line that was backhanded by Jake Rucker. His short hop throw to first skidded by Aaron Sabato allowing Manzardo to score increasing the lead to 2-0.
Dayan Frias led off the second for the Clippers with a double to right-center and Alfonsin Rosario walked. A fly ball by Alex Mooney moved Frias to third and he scored on Ingle’s fielder’s choice, upping the lead to 3-0.
For the third straight inning the Clippers put the leadoff man on as Ralphy Velazquez singled to left, moved to third on a double to right by Manzardo, and scored on a sacrifice fly from Kody Huff pushing the lead to 4-0.
Meanwhile, the Saints offense had leadoff singles in the first and second and a one out single in the third. The runners in the second and third innings were erased on double plays.
Trenton Denholm, who was scheduled to start before Major League rehabber Shawn Armstrong opened the game, retired 15 in a row from the third until two were out in the eighth when Tanner Schobel doubled to left center. It was the lone runner to reach scoring position for the Saints.
The bullpen for the Saints was once again spectacular as Paulshawn Pasqualotto pitched 2.0 perfect innings and struck out one, Matt Bowman pitched a scoreless seventh, and Eric Orze tossed a perfect eighth.
The same two teams meet in the final game of the season on Sunday afternoon at Huntington Park at 12:05 p.m. (CT). The Saints send LHP Aaron Rozek (4-6, 4.37) to the mound against Clippers RHP Ben Lively (0-1, 2.28). The game can be heard on KFAN Plus, 96.7 FM presented by Northland Ford Dealers.