Ruwe, Canaries Snap Losing Streak With 3-1 Win Over Saints

ST. PAUL, MN -- The Sioux Falls Canaries snapped a five-game losing streak with a 3-1 win over the St. Paul Saints on Friday night behind a strong pitching performance from starter Kyle Ruwe at Midway Stadium.

The Birds offense scattered nine or more hits for the fourth straight game, getting a strong day at the plate from third baseman Carlos Mendez who went 3-for-5 with two RBI.  Mendez has given St. Paul pitching headaches over the last two games, going 5-for-10 with 5 RBI.

Veteran Shelby Ford, who has been dealing with some early season injuries, played in back-to-back games for the first time this season, going 2-for-4 on the night, bumping his team best batting average up to .353 on the season.

Ruwe (1-1) gave up nine hits to a very potent St. Paul lineup, but tossed six strong innings, allowing one run in his second start of the season.

After allowing a run in the fourth inning, Ruwe again ran into trouble in the fifth, intentionally walking Brandon Tripp to load the base for Henry Wrigley who grounded into the inning ending double play. It would be the last real threat for St. Paul, who had just three more base runners over the final four innings.

Reliever Josh Giles was lights out for the birds, allowing just one hit over two shutout innings while racking up four strikeouts before Canaries closer Allan DeRatt closed the door in the ninth with a 1-2-3 inning to pick up his third save of the season.

Kyle Vazquez (0-1, 3.60 ERA) will take the mound for Sioux Falls on Saturday night against St. Paul pitcher Jeff Shields (1-0, 3.18 ERA).

Courtesy:  Sioux Falls Canaries