The Saints, facing elimination in the American Association playoffs, gutted out a 3-1 victory over Sioux City in front of 7,498 fans Saturday night at CHS Field.
After a video message from former Saints player Kevin Millar prior to the ballgame recalling his Red Sox improbable comeback from 3-0 over the New York Yankees in 2004, the Saints came out inspired.
Angelo Songco drove in all three runs for the Saints, who trail the best-of-five series 2-1. Game 4 is at 5:05 p.m. Sunday.
It was 1-1 in the sixth after Songco's RBI single in the first and a home run by former Twin Rene Tosoni off Dustin Crenshaw five innings later. In the bottom of the sixth, the Saints regained the lead when Songco's two-run double scored David Espinosa and Vinny DiFazio. Songco has all six Saints RBI in the series.
American Association Rookie of the Year Mike Zouzalik pitched a perfect eighth before the league's leader in saves, Ryan Rodebaugh, shut down the Explorers for his first save of the playoffs.
In Game 4, the Saints will send righthander Robert Coe (11-3, 3.11) to the mound against righthander Eric Wordekemper (8-2, 4.64).
