The St. Paul Saints’ struggles at the plate continued Sunday, as they struck out 17 times in a 7-0 loss to the Indianapolis Indians in the finale of their road trip at Victory Field.
The 17 Ks were the second-most ever in a nine-inning game in history for the Saints (8-6), who had chances to score early but could never get the big hit.
José De León got the spot start after Brent Headrick was called up to the Twins, and he was sharp in his three innings of work. After allowing the first two men to reach in the first, De León got a double play and a fly out to end the inning. He retired the side in order in the second and, after giving up a leadoff double in the third, retired the next three hitters to end his day.
The Indians got on the board first in the fourth off Cole Sands. Travis Swaggerty led off with a single. Malcom Nuñez walked. With two outs, Tyler Heineman hit a three-run homer to right, his first of the season, giving the Indians a 3-0 lead.
The Indians put the game away in the seventh. After Trevor Megill fanned the first two hitters, he walked the next three to load the bases. On a 1-2 pitch, Malcom Nuñez hit a grand slam to center, his first of the season, making it 7-0.
Twins outfielder Joey Gallo finished his third rehab game with the Saints, going 1 for 5 with a single.
The Saints return to action on Tuesday against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (New York Yankees affiliate) at 6:37 p.m. at CHS Field.
