GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS -- John Alonso singled in David Espinosa in the bottom of the 11th inning, sending host Grand Prairie to a 3-2 victory over the St. Paul Saints in Game 3 of the best-of-five American Association championship series Saturday night.The Saints lead the series 2-1, having won Games 1 and 2 at Midway Stadium. The final three games of the series are in Texas, with Game 4 on Sunday night.
Espinosa, Grand Prairie's second baseman and No. 3 hitter, drew a walk to start the 11th off Saints reliever Jesse English. On strike three to Greg Porter, Espinosa stole second and went to third when catcher Richard Mercado's throw bounced past both middle infielders into center field. Cesar Nicolas was intentionally walked. Julio DePaula came in to pitch for the Saints, and Alonso, who homered earlier, fouled off two pitches before sending a breaking pitch past a drawn-in infield.
The Saints tied the score 2-2 in the top of the eighth inning on Jason Cooper's solo homer off Air Hogs starter Josh Rainwater, who gave up five hits and two runs in eight innings.
Saints starter Jacob Schmidt gave up two runs on seven hits and a walk in six innings. Kyle Foster followed with four innings of one-hit shutout relief, walking none while striking out four.
