Gallagher Fans Nine As Saints Beat Bats For Sixth Straight Time, 4-1

ST. PAUL, MN (August 5, 2026) - The string of 11 consecutive games allowing three runs or less against the Louisville Bats came to an end Tuesday night. Ryan Gallagher was determined to start a new streak on Wednesday afternoon. He tied the second most strikeouts of his career and the St. Paul Saints got timely hits in a 4-1 victory on Wednesday afternoon at CHS Field in front of 9,002.

Showing a sign of things to come, Gallagher struck out the first batter of the game as he retired the side in the first.

Kaelen Culpepper greeted Major League rehabber Nick Lodolo with a ground rule double to to center starting off the bottom of the first. Gabby Gonzalez singled him to third and a double play ground out by Walker Jenkins scored Culpepper giving the Saints a 1-0 lead.

Despite giving up a two-out single in the second, Gallagher struck out all three outs in the inning. The lone blip came in the third when the bottom of the Bats order, which collected five hits on Tuesday night, came through with the table setter in the third to tie the game. P.J. Higgins led off with a double to right-center and scored on a one out double to right-center by Francisco Urbaez tying the game at one.

Gallagher struck out the side in the fourth and went on to retire the final 10 hitters he faced going 6.0 innings allowing one run on three hits while walking one and striking out nine. It was just the fourth quality start for the Saints this season. The Saints are 4-0 in those games. Over his last four starts, Gallagher is 3-1 with a 2.49 ERA, fanning 24 in 21.2 innings pitched, with a 1.02 WHIP, and an opponents’ batting average of .197. He is also 3-1 with a 1.42 ERA in four games (three starts) against the Bats this season.

In the fifth, it was the bottom of the Saints order that set up Culpepper. With one out Tanner Schobel walked and David Bañuelos singled to left. Culpepper then lined a two-run double into the left field corner putting the Saints up 3-1. Culpepper went 2-4 with two doubles, just the second time in his career he’s doubled twice, two RBI, and a run scored.

Another double knocked in a run for the Saints in the seventh when Kala’i Rosario walked and Cody Morissette doubled him home, increasing the lead to 4-1.

Ruddy Gomez, Marco Raya, and Julian Merryweather each pitched an inning, didn’t allow a run, on two hits while fanning four.

With the win, the Saints get to a season-high 17-games over .500 at 63-46, second best record in the International League.

The same two teams meet in game three of a six-game series on Thursday night at CHS Field at 7:07 p.m. The Saints send RHP Zebby Matthews (3-2, 4.72) to the mound against Major League rehabber, Bats LHP Brandon Williamson (NR). The game can be seen on the Saints Broadcast Network, cable access channels in and around the Twin Cities area, MLB.TV, MiLB.com, and the Bally Sports Live app, and heard on KFAN Plus, 96.7 FM, all presented by Northland Ford Dealers.