CHS Field was the place to be on Friday night for the annual Twins Daily night with the Saints.

 

Fans converged onto the picnic area behind left field for a pregame picnic featuring brats, burgers and standard picnic fare, getting a chance to mingle with fellow Twins Daily readers and fans. Saints pitchers and Minnesota natives Jake Esch and Jake Matthys stopped by to talk to fans and pose for pictures. Saints mascot Mudonna also stopped by to mingle with the party goers.The theme of the night was Star Wars, quickly becoming a standard promotion in major and minor league ballparks. Star Wars characters were seen frequently ambling through the ballpark during the game. Kids were allowed to participate in Jedi training during the game. The light sabers, in all kinds of different colors provided a nice background for postgame fireworks set to the music of composer John Williams.

 

On the field, the first place Saints took on North Division rival Sioux Falls Canaries. After the Saints scratched out a first inning run, the pitchers on both teams took over with Saints starter Matt Solter taking a no-hitter into the fifth inning. The score remained 1-0 into the seventh when the Canaries loaded the bases and had one run already in with only one out. A fly ball to Richard Prigatano recorded out number 2 and Prigatano's throw to 3rd got the runner out before the lead runner crossed home preserving the 1-1 tie. The Saints scored the deciding run in the bottom of the inning as local product and former Twins prospect Max Murphy scored the winning run from second on a bobbled throw to first base.

 

Tom Wilhelmsen, former Seattle Mariners closer, shut down the Canaries in the ninth inning, striking out two batters.

 

If you get a chance, don't miss out on next year's event as there is never such a thing as a bad time at CHS Field.

 

Of course there is plenty of time left this summer to catch the Saints at CHS Field. Fargo Moorhead pays a visit this week. Monday night is the annual Larry Doby tribute with both teams wearing jerseys from the Negro Leagues. Tuesday features a Charlie Brown T-Shirt giveaway with the Saints wearing yellow jerseys with the signature black zig zag. Wednesday wraps up the homestand with a 1:05 start with a salute to Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. Check saintbaseball.com or call 651-644-6659 for tickets.

 

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It would be nice to see a little more about the Saints. I know very little about them.

It would be nice to see a little more about the Saints. I know very little about them.

Saintsbaseball.com. The Twins and Saints have had some strained relationships over the years.

It would be nice to see a little more about the Saints. I know very little about them.

Follow along as I do a weekly Saints recap and add news from throughout the American Associaiton at 10thinningstretch.blogspot.com.