The St. Paul Saints put on a power display for the ages Saturday night, smashing seven home runs to tie the CHS Field record in a dominant 16-2 victory over the Iowa Cubs. The win gave the Saints a 3-2 series lead heading into Sunday's finale.
After Iowa—boasting one of the International League's most potent offenses—took two of the previous three games and scored 18 runs in the process, St. Paul answered in emphatic fashion. The Saints tied a franchise record with 11 extra-base hits and reached base safely with the leadoff hitter in each of the first seven innings, scoring in all but one frame.
The offensive explosion was a team-wide effort. Eight of nine starters recorded hits, seven had multi-hit games, and eight drove in at least one run. Seven players scored multiple runs as the lineup cycled through with relentless efficiency.
Kyler Fedko led the charge with three hits, including his eighth home run of the season. Orlando Arcia went deep twice, while Ryan Kreidler launched a three-run homer in the first inning to set the tone early. Alex Jackson added his fourth long ball of the year, putting the Saints ahead 9-1 in the third.
Twins top prospect Walker Jenkins continued to impress, collecting two hits—including his second home run—while driving in three runs and scoring twice. Fellow top prospect Kaelen Culpepper also went yard for the sixth time this season. Both Jenkins and Culpepper added stolen bases for good measure, showcasing the full arsenal of their talents.
With 51 home runs on the season, St. Paul now leads the International League in that category—a testament to the firepower in this lineup.
On the mound, right-hander Zebby Matthews (2-2) thrived with the run support, allowing just one run on three hits and three walks while striking out seven over five strong innings. It was exactly the kind of performance that can carry a team deep into the season.
For Saints fans, Saturday night was a reminder of just how explosive this team can be when everything clicks. With the series finale set for Sunday at 2:07 p.m., St. Paul will look to close out the series on a high note.