St Paul Avoid Biggest Collapse in ATB History, Defeats New Amsterdam 4-1

In a tension filled game, the Doppelgangers, behind Teddy Higuera who pitched extremely well, advance to the playoffs.  Offense was scarce and Eddice Cicotte joined Higuera in a tight pitchers duel, both pitching into the 8th inning while yielding lone runs.

St Paul broke the game open in the 8th with some timely pinch hitting.  Chuck Klein, stepping in for Cal Ripken, led off the inning with a rope single into the left field.  Cicotte remained on the mound to pitch to Mike Schmidt, who was brought in instead of Brooks Robinson.  Schmidt doubled to right, putting runners at 1st and 2nd with no outs.

This was enough for manager Connor MacLeoad, and he brought in reliever Pat Jarvis.  The righty did induce a ground ball to the right side out of Rogers Hornsby, but Klein scored.  Paul Goldschmidt followed with 6-4-3 double play, but Schdmidt scored.  To add misery, Jim Thome then belted a solo shot for some icing on the cake.

Dellin Betances and Eric Gagne ensured New Amsterdam would not complete the amazing comeback - they faced the minimum in the last two innings, and Gagne struck out the side to end the game.

Here is the box - Hockenberry vs Port Hawkesberry tonight.