Priester throws 4.0 scoreless innings, punches out six in return to Triple-A
By Jack McMullen
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Right-handers Quinn Priester and Beau Sulser combined for 7.0 innings of one-run ball as the Indianapolis Indians survived a late comeback effort from the St. Paul Saints on Saturday night at CHS Field, winning 5-4.
The Indians (55-62, 22-21) jumped in front in the top of the third against St. Paul starter Simeon Woods Richardson (L, 4-6) thanks to a two-run blast from designated hitter Domingo Leyba. In just his 17th game with the Indians, Leyba’s launch was his fifth home run with Indy.
The tandem of Priester and Sulser (W, 2-1) held the Saints (68-50, 25-19) scoreless until the bottom of the sixth, when first baseman Yunior Severino tattooed a solo home run to straight-away center field that traveled over 460 feet and left the bat at 113 miles-per-hour.
After the Indians added three insurance runs in the top of the eighth thanks to an RBI double from second baseman Jared Triolo and a two-run home run from center fielder Ryan Vilade, St. Paul clawed back to a one run deficit thanks to a bases-clearing double in the bottom half of the inning from shortstop Hernán Pérez. Indians closer Hunter Stratton (S, 5) shut the door on the Saints with a 1-2-3 ninth, fanning two in the process. Stratton has yet to allow a run in the month of August, surrendering just one hit and striking out 13 in 9.0 innings across seven appearances this month.
The Indians and Saints conclude their six-game set on Sunday afternoon at 3:07 PM ET at CHS Field. Right-hander Roansy Contreras (0-0, 1.29) starts for Indianapolis for the second time this week after throwing four one-hit innings in the series opener, while St. Paul sends right-hander Randy Dobnak (4-6, 4.53) to the hill.
Originally posted on milb.com