ST PAUL, Minn. -- After a short road trip to Fargo to face the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks, the St. Paul Saints returned home on Tuesday night to host the Sioux Falls Canaries in the first of a three-game series. 

John Straka got the start for the Saints and he pitched beautifully, as he went seven innings, giving up just five hits while striking out six batters. 

Saints score early, but not often

Straka got plenty of help from his offense, mostly from Alonzo Harris, who got the scoring started in the first inning. After Tanner Vavra hit a one-out single to right field, and Angelo Songco hit a single, Harris stepped up and hit a three-run home run to put St. Paul up 3-0.

Tony Thomas followed with a single to left field which was followed by Nate Hanson picking up a single of his own. Willie Argo then drove Thomas in when he singled to center field to make it a 4-0 Saints lead.

St. Paul got one more run in the bottom of the second inning, as Songco hit a two-out single. He was followed by Harris, who singled to shortstop. Thomas followed with a walk of his own, which set up Hanson to get a RBI when he also drew a walk, giving the Saints a 5-0 lead.

Nate Hanson makes a throw during the game.
(Betsy Bissen/St. Paul Saints)

Saints bullpen takes it the rest of the way

That was all that the Saints pitching staff needed, as after Straka departed, Benji Waite threw one inning, giving up just one hit. Cody Wheeler got the ninth inning in a non-save situation, but he still came through, as he gave up just one hit, with it being a single to Cameron Monger. 

Despite that and an Ethan Chapman walk, he was able to get out of the inning with no runs allowed, as Blake Schmit flew out to right field to end the game.

Quick Hits

- While he did not pitch in the game, Saints starting pitcher Mark Hamburger got some good news on Monday afternoon, as he was named the league pitcher of the week for last week. You can read about his journey to the Saints here.

- The Canaries were without two of their coaches after the fifth inning, as manager Chris Patterson and pitching coach Demetrius Banks were both ejected in quick succession after apparently arguing balls and strikes. Pitcher Kris Regas was also ejected a short time later after picking up the argument.

- After a three-game set with the Canaries, the Saints will host the Redhawks, who they took three out of four games from last weekend up in Fargo.