Sioux Falls – It was not the start the St. Paul Saints wanted, but the defending American Association champions at least got a chance to play a game again.
The Saints lost to the Sioux Falls Canaries 9-4 on Opening Day of a coronavirus-delayed season at Sioux Falls Stadium before 1,522 fans — that's about 500 fewer than the capacity, set at 50% of the available seats to encourage social distancing.
It was the first game by a professional sports team from Minnesota since March 11, when the Twins lost a spring training game to Atlanta. That was the day the pandemic was declared.
The Saints — after getting their championship rings the day before — trailed 3-0, tied the score in the fifth inning, but then fell behind again 5-3 before Sioux Falls eventually pulled away on four home runs.
Saints starter Eddie Medina gave up three homers, tying a career high, and five runs (three earned) in five innings.
The Saints closed within 3-2 on Mitch Ghelfi's two-out, two-run double in the fourth inning and tied the score at 3-all in the fifth on J.C. Millan's sacrifice fly. Sioux Falls retook the lead at 5-3 in the bottom of the same inning on solo homers by Andrew Ely and Alay Lago.
Jabari Henry, a Saints player for part of last season, gave the Canaries the lead with a two-run homer in the bottom of the first. Teammate K.C. Huth also hit a two-run shot in the eighth.
The Saints are using the Birdcage as their home field with their hub partner, the Canaries — at least early this season — until Gov. Tim Walz significantly relaxes attendance restrictions in Minnesota, now at 250 for outdoor events.
