PAPILLION, NE (July 30, 2026) – It took the St. Paul Saints just 104 games to win 60, the fastest in Triple-A franchise history surpassing the 106 by the 2023 team. Since the All-Star Break their pitching staff has had the third best ERA in the International League and that’s with 10 of the 13 games at CHS Field. They continued their domination on Thursday night at Werner Park allowing just three hits in a 4-1 victory over the Omaha Storm Chasers.
For the second straight game the Saints jumped out to the lead in the first. Kaelen Culpepper led off with a single to right-center and Kyler Fedko walked. With one out Aaron Sabato crushed a three-run homer to left, his 19th of the season, putting the Saints up 3-0.
Starter Ryan Gallagher retired the first five men he faced before a two-out walk in the second and didn’t allow his first hit until two were out in the fourth, a single to left by Abraham Toro.
With two outs and nobody on in the third, the Saints plated a run. Walker Jenkins singled to right-center, Sabato doubled down the third base line putting runners at second and third, and a wild pitch scored Jenkins making it 4-0. Sabato finished 2-4 with a double, home run, three RBI, and a run scored.
Gallagher limited the damage in the fifth after loading the bases. Drew Waters led off with a single to left and with one out Luca Tresh singled to left and Alejo Lopez walked. Gavin Cross’ sacrifice fly cut the Saints lead to 4-1. Gallagher went 5.2 innings, the fourth longest outing by a Saints pitcher this season, allowing one run on three hits while walking three and striking out six.
From that point on three reliever were perfect as Eduardo Salazar, 1.1 innings pitched and two strikeouts, John Klein, 1.0 inning and three strikeouts, and Julian Merryweather, 1.0 inning and two strikeouts, finished it off.
The same two teams meet in game four of a six-game series on Friday night at Werner Park at 7:05 p.m. The Saints send LHP Aaron Rozek (2-1, 2.92) to the mound against Storm Chasers RHP Mitch Spence (2-4, 5.35). The game can be heard on KFAN Plus, 96.7 FM presented by Northland Ford Dealers.
