Saints Fall to Omaha in Doubleheader, Ending First-Half Playoff Hopes

The St. Paul Saints saw their chances of playoff contention in the first half of the International League season come to a halt on Thursday night, as they were defeated in both games of a doubleheader against the Omaha Storm Chasers at CHS Field. Following these losses, the Saints' record dropped to 40-31, with only three games left in the first half.

In the opening game, St. Paul was tied 2-2 after three innings, but Omaha took control in the fourth with a four-run inning and added five more runs in the sixth, concluding the game with a decisive 12-4 victory. Saints first baseman Gabriel Gonzalez contributed to the offense, going 2 for 3, including a solo home run. Catcher Noah Cardenas also hit a solo shot, finishing with a 1 for 2 performance. Starting pitcher Austin Voth (1-3, 3.65 ERA) struggled, giving up six hits and six runs (five earned) over four innings, while striking out five and walking two batters.

The second game proved to be a competitive matchup, starting with centerfielder Ben Ross hitting a home run to left field in the first inning, giving St. Paul an early 1-0 lead. Omaha responded by scoring three runs in the second but the Saints rallied back with a three-run double from third baseman Henry Kusiak, reclaiming a 4-3 lead by the end of the third inning. However, Omaha secured the win by scoring a run in the fourth and two more in the fifth, as St. Paul’s offense struggled for the rest of the game. Gonzalez stood out again, going 4 for 4 and scoring once, being the only player from the Saints to achieve more than one hit in this contest. Pitcher John Klein took the loss, allowing three earned runs on four hits in three innings after coming in for starter Ricky Castro.

St. Paul and Omaha will meet again at 7:07 p.m. on Friday for another round of action in the series.