St Paul Saints, First Place and Fireworks

Prior to the first game of the home stand the league announced that Saints outfielder, Anthony Gallas was awarded the Pointstreak American Association Player of the Week for June 5 – June 11. And yes, you are remembering correctly from my last article, that makes it two consecutive Player of the Week honors for Saints players. Gallas’ crazy stat line from his winning week included a .571 BA, .670 OBP, two RBI and 3three runs scored. Way to go, Anthony!

To begin the series, it appeared the Explorers don’t believe in the phrase “home sweet home.” They defeated the Saints 7-5 while getting 17 hits, a season high given up by the Saints. The second game went much better for the home team, ending in a 10-5 victory. The Saints big run total was aided by scoring in each of the first four innings, including two two-run bombs by Gallas and Max Garrett in the four-run fourth inning.

Game three was another lopsided affair tilted towards the good guys. Ryan Zimmerman shut down his former team for seven solid innings, allowing only one run. The red-hot Gallas continued his run at the plate with a three-RBI double in the first that began the scoring on the way to an 8-1 win. The series finale was another big win because it was Saints Manager, George Tsamis’ 50th birthday. Per the Saints stats guru’s, the team is now 6-5 overall in games played on the skipper’s big day. Happy Birthday George!

One of the many fun moments during the home stand came during the Monday Night Variety Show when Host Fancy Ray joined Seigo Masubuchi for Sing Along with Seigo during one of the inning breaks. Together they sang a rousing rendition of Feeling Hot Hot Hot. The fun never ends at a Saints game.

After what I’m sure felt like a ten-minute nap in their own beds, the Saints hit the road again for six games, going from Winnipeg to Sioux Falls. First up was a trip across the border to battle the Goldeyes at Shaw Park in Winnipeg. The Saints won two of three from the second-place team in the North Division extending their lead to two games.

Next up was a three-game stop in Sioux Falls. The Saints took two of three from the Explorers again, but the big story of the series came on the mound for the Saints. In the first game, former Twins prospect Mark Hamburger threw his record breaking, fifteenth career complete game in the victory. I’ve said it before, the most amazing stat of the record is how few games it took him to break the mark. It took former record holder; Ben Moore 121 starts to get to fourteen. It took Hamburger just 48 starts to get to fifteen. Just amazing. Congrats Mark!

With the series win, the Saints are now 21-11 and have a three-game lead over the Winnipeg Goldeyes in the North Division. And now the Saints return home for ten games in eleven days. First up is the North Division second place Goldeyes for a four-game showdown. After an off-day Monday, the Sioux City Explorers visit St. Paul for a mid-week three-game series. And finishing off the home stand is a four-game set versus the Gary SouthShore Railcats.

Ten games in eleven days at home, I can already feel the Fun is Good oozing out of CHS Field. So, let’s get to some of the fun for the upcoming home stand. Highlighting the stand is the second bobblehead giveaway of the year, June 24th. This time it is Kevin Millar and Bill Murray together as the collectable recreates a classic picture of the two from Midway Stadium.

There will also be fireworks, fireworks, and more fireworks. Three nights of fireworks! This home stand there are two Friday night shows and the big Independence Day Super Show with food trucks on the field as well. Other promotional nights include: I saw my old girlfriend at the …X-Games Night, June 25, Larry Doby Night, June 27, and Spam’s 80th Birthday Celebration, June 28.

Don't miss your chance to join TwinsDaily.com at a family-friendly Saints event on July 14. Just $20 for adults and $10 for kids gets you a pregame buffet in the outfield, a Saints ticket, fireworks and an after party at Tin Whiskers. Get more information and tickets (while they last) here.

For more on the Saints, including tickets to this weekend's games, stop by SaintsBaseball.com.