FARGO - The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks had a more than month long stretch of home dominance halted Tuesday night at Newman Outdoor Field.
Former North Dakota State right-hander Luke Anderson was one out away from pitching a complete game. Anderson's gem lifted the St. Paul Saints to an 8-2 victory in American Association baseball before a crowd of 4,270 fans.
"That was one of the best pitching performances I've seen all year, against that excellent lineup they have over there," Saints manager George Tsamis said.
The RedHawks (49-26) had their 14-game home winning streak snapped. F-M hadn't lost at Newman since July 1 when it dropped an 8-4 decision against the Saints.
"It was a lot of fun getting another start here, a lot of friends and family around," said Anderson, who completed his college career at NDSU this past spring.
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Anderson made his first professional start at Newman Outdoor Field a memorable one. He had made a relief appearance at Newman for the Saints in late June.
Anderson pitched 8Xc innings on Tuesday, allowing two runs on eight hits. He struck out six batters and walked two. Anderson retired the first two batters he faced in the ninth inning. He then walked F-M designated hitter Ryan Delgado. That was Anderson's 125th pitch, prompting Tsamis to take Anderson out of the game.
"I feel good about it, but I've wanted a nine-inning complete game for a while," said a smiling Anderson, who improved to 4-1 this season with a 2.86 ERA.
The Saints seized control in the fourth inning with three runs. Shortstop Adam Frost sparked the rally with a two-out, two-run single to center field that gave his team a 5-0 edge. First baseman Ole Sheldon added an RBI single to give St. Paul a 6-0 lead.
"That pretty much decided it," RedHawks manager Doug Simunic. "We weren't capable of mounting a real good offensive attack against them tonight."
Anderson started against the RedHawks last Thursday in St. Paul. F-M tagged Anderson for four earned runs in six innings en route to a 4-1 victory. That is Anderson's lone loss in seven starts this season.
"I knew I had to come out guns a blazing this time," Anderson said. "I was on top today. They got me last week. I guess that's the way baseball goes."
NOTES: The RedHawks signed rookie left-handed pitcher Ethan Opsahl, from Twin Valley, Minn., prior to Tuesday's game against the Saints. Opsahl, 22, pitched for Dakota Wesleyan this past spring, going 9-4 with a 3.43 ERA. ... Right-hander Aaron Shafer (7-4, 5.42 ERA) is slated to start today for the RedHawks. St. Paul is expected to counter with right-hander Kyle Ruwe (0-1, 4.29 ERA). ... The RedHawks are 23-14 at Newman this season. ... F-M has a 3-8 record against St. Paul this season.
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St. Paul RedHawks
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Rpprt,cf 4 2 1 0 Pnprse,ss 4 0 0 0
Frost, ss 5 0 3 3 Stovall,rf 4 0 2 0
Sheldn,1b 5 0 2 1 Jacksn,cf 4 0 1 0
Borqn,3b 4 1 1 0 Campbl,3b 3 1 1 1
Hrnandz,lf 5 1 2 1 Gaston,lf 4 1 1 1
Cabrera,dh 4 2 2 2 Delgado,dh 3 0 2 0
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Durham,rf 4 0 0 0 Rodrigz,1b 4 0 0 0
Twnsnd,2b 2 1 1 0 Jennings,c 3 0 1 0
Garabdn,c 3 1 0 0 Cota, 2b 3 0 0 0
Totals 36 8 12 7 Totals 32 2 8 2
St. Paul 102 310 100-8 12 0
RedHawks 000 100 100-2 8 1
E-Penprase (19). 2B-Hernandez 2 (22), Cabrera (8), Delgado (24). 3B-Frost (2). HR-Cabrera (8), Campbell (6), Gaston (9). LOB-St. Paul 7, FM 5.
ST. PAUL
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IP H R ER BB SO
Andrsn,W,4-1 8Xc 8 2 2 2 6
Svrtson Zc 0 0 0 0 0
XXX HOME
IP H R ER BB SO
Brnside,L,8-5 3Xc 8 6 6 4 3
Zenko 2 3 1 1 0 4
Opsahl 2Zc 1 1 1 2 1
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Dahman 1 0 0 0 0 0
WP-Zenko (6). Umpires-Home: Bakke. First: Linton. Third: McCaffrey. Time-2:52. A-4,270.
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Eric Peterson at (701) 241-5513.
