Morris Earns First Triple-A Win, Saints Pound Storm Chasers In Game Two Of Doubleheader 8-3

PAPILLION, NE (August 30, 2024) - The pipeline is deep for Minnesota Twins pitching. Andrew Morris, who has vaulted from High-A to Triple-A this season had his finest start with the St. Paul Saints. He hurled 5.0 shutout innings and picked up his first Triple-A win as the Saints scored four in the second and four in the third for an 8-3 win over the Omaha Storm Chasers in game two of the doubleheader on Friday night at Werner Park.

The Saints put up a crooked number in the second. Yunior Severino led off with a walk and with one out Rylan Bannon walked putting runners at first and second. Jeferson Morales singled to right, but Severino was thrown out at the plate. That didn’t bother the Saints as Patrick Winkel made it 1-0 with a single to right. A walk to Anthony Prato loaded the bases and Payton Eeles unloaded them with a triple to right increasing the lead to 4-0.

In the third the Saints doubled their lead. DaShawn Keirsey Jr. led off the inning with a single to center and that was followed by a walk to Severino. Carson McCusker clubbed his second home run in three games, a three-run shot to right, his second with the Saints, increasing the lead to 7-0. McCusker finished the night 2-4 with a home run, three RBI, and a run scored. With one out Morales singled to center, stole second, and scored on a single to center by Anthony Prato giving the Saints an 8-0 lead.

Morris had baserunners in four of the five innings he pitched, but never looked like he was in any real trouble. He fanned two in the first inning and left runners at first and second.

In the second, Morris had runners at first and second and one out, but got a fly out and ground out to end the inning.

After allowing a leadoff infield single in the third, Morris retired nine of the final 10 batters he faced. He went 5.0 shutout innings allowing four hits while walking two and striking out four.

The Storm Chasers broke up the shutout in the sixth. Nate Eaton led off with a single to left. With one out Nick Pratto singled to left-center putting runners at first and second. A groundout put runners at second and third and a two-run single into left-center by Austin Nola made it 8-2.

In the seventh the Storm Chasers added one more run as Ryan Fitzgerald led off with a double to left-center and scored when Drew Waters reached on a throwing error by third baseman Diego Castillo making it 8-3.

The same two teams meet in game five of a six-game series on Saturday night at 6:05 p.m. (CT) at Werner Park. The Saints send LHP Aaron Rozek (0-4, 6.55) to the mound against the Storm Chasers LHP Noah Cameron (1-1, 1.72). The game can be heard on KFAN Plus, 96.7 FM.