Saints Ninth Inning Rally Falls Just Short In 7-6 Loss To I-Cubs

DES MOINES, IA *(September 15, 2023) - *Trevor Larnach is finishing the 2023 season with a bang. He entered play on Friday night with the sixth best OPS (1.155) and 10^th best batting average (.366) in the International League in September. His three-run homer in the ninth got the Saints within a run, but they would get no closer in a 7-6 loss to the Iowa Cubs at Principal Park. The loss drops the Saints to 37-30 in the second half.

The I-Cubs struck first in the first on a double by Jared Young followed by an RBI single into right-center by Matt Mervis making it 1-0.

In the second, the Saints used a couple of doubles and three walks to take the lead. Larnach led off the inning with a double to right-center and scored on Kyle Garlick’s double down the third base line tying the game at one. A walk to DaShawn Keirsey Jr. and an infield single from Gilberto Celestino loaded the bases. Anthony Prato walked forcing in a run putting the Saints up 2-1. With two outs Austin Martin walked to force in another run giving the Saints a 3-1 lead.

Yonathan Perlaza got the I-Cubs within a run with a solo homer to right in the third, his first of the night and 21^st of the season, cutting the Saints lead to 3-2.

The I-Cubs exploded for five runs in the sixth inning to take the lead for good. With one out Luis Vazquez reached on an infield single to third. Bryce Windham followed with a single to right that sent Vazquez to third. Windham then stole second and with two outs Chase Strumpf lined a two-run single into right giving the I-Cubs a 4-3 lead. After a walk to Levi Jordan, Perlaza hit his second home run of the night, a three-run shot to right-center, his 22^nd of the season, making it 7-3.

The Saints made it interesting in the ninth. With one out Michael Helman reached on an infield single to third and Martin walked. With two outs, Larnach drilled a three-run homer to left, his 15^th of the season, cutting the deficit to 7-6. Larnach finished the night 2-5 with a double, home run, three RBI, and two runs scored. Unfortunately, Garlick struck out to end the game.

Brock Stewart made his first Major League rehab appearance and tossed a perfect fourth inning. He topped out at 97.5 miles per hour, threw 12 pitches, eight for strikes. He got four swings and misses on the eight strikes.

Nick Gordon also played his first Major League rehab game and went 0-3 with a fly out, pop out, and ground out in five innings. He had two assists and a putout on a popup.

The same two teams meet in game five of a six-game series on Saturday night at Principal Park at 6:08 p.m. The Saints send RHP Patrick Murphy (6-2, 3.30) to the mound against I-Cubs RHP Caleb Kilian (7-2, 4.46). The game can be heard on KFAN Plus, 96.7 FM.