Lewis Blasts Two Home Runs, Saints Crush Clippers 8-1

_COLUMBUS, OH _*(May 19, 2023) - *It was an all-around team effort on Friday night at Huntington Park. Sure, Royce Lewis is going to be the focus after he hit two home runs, but the offense pounded out 14 hits and the pitching staff allowed just a run on four hits in an 8-1 victory for the St. Paul Saints over the Columbus Clippers at Huntington Park.

The Saints struck first courtesy of a 434-foot solo homer by Chris Williams in the third, his fourth of the season, making it 1-0.

The Clippers tied the game in the bottom of the inning after back-to-back walks to the first two hitters of the inning and a one out RBI single from Daniel Schneeman.

That was all Saints starter Aaron Sanchez allowed as he retired the final seven batters he faced in going 5.0 innings allowing one run on two hits while walking three and striking out six.

Royce Lewis clubbed his second home run in a Saints uniform, a solo shot to lead off the fourth inning giving the Saints a 2-1 lead. With one out, Mark Contreras doubled to right-center and Tyler White walked. On a strikeout of Andrew Stevenson, Contreras stole third. White then advanced to second on a wild pitch and Williams brought them both home with a line drive single into left putting the Saints up 4-1. Williams finished the night 2-4 with a home run, three RBI, and a run scored.

One inning later and Lewis did it again, a 404-foot solo homer to left-center, his second of the night and third of the season, giving the Saints a 5-1 lead. Lewis, who played his scheduled seven innings, went 3-4 with two home runs, two RBI, and two runs scored. It was his fourth, two home run game of his career.

The Saints made it 6-1 in the sixth as Tyler White and Andrew Stevenson started the inning with back-to-back singles putting runners at first and second. Stevenson’s single extended his hitting streak to eight games. Williams then hit a grounder to third and Reynel Delgado forced Stevenson at second, but Marcos Gonzalez’ throw to first was wide and went into foul territory allowing White to score.

In the ninth, the Saints put the finishing touches on their victory. They loaded the bases with nobody out on a hit by pitch, single by Hernán Pérez, and another hit by pitch. With two outs, White knocked home a pair with a single into left-center giving the Saints an 8-1 lead.

The bullpen of Kody Funderburk, Austin Schulfer, and Patrick Murphy tossed 4.0 shutout innings allowing two hits while striking out six. The bullpen hasn’t allowed a run in its last 12.1 innings.

The same two teams meet in game five of a six-game series on Saturday night at 6:05 p.m. (CT) at Huntington Park. The Saints will send RHP Connor Sadzeck (1-2, 4.05) to the mound while the Clippers send Major League rehabber, RHP Triston McKenzie (NR). The game can be heard on KFAN Plus, 96.7 FM.