Saints 8, RailCats 7

You missed some fine baseball if you didn't see the Saint Paul Saints edge out the Gary Southshore RailCats Friday night at CHS Field.

The black metal ballpark felt like a roaster when the game opened; I could feel the sweat rolling off of me, and I wish you all could have joined me with a tall, cool, orange-colored can of ShockTop, which is only lightly hoppy for a refreshing summer drink which goes down smooth and easy, available ice-cold from friendly folks walking through the aisles.  It paired nicely with the welcome breeze which gradually made itself known as the game wore on.  And now back to the game.

The game started out with a bang: the RailCats scored 2 runs, the Saints scored 3.  In the second inning, the RailCats scored another 2 runs, and from then on, it was a desperate game of (ahem) cat and mouse as both teams ground through 4 innings with only a single run, earned by the RailCats.

By inning 7, the RailCats clawed their way to another run.  Would this cement the RailCats victory, with a 6-3 score?

No!  Nothing was set in stone as the Saints redeemed another 2 runs for the home team at the bottom of the 7th inning!  We suddenly had a game again, and in the 8th inning both teams scored a run.

At the opening of the 9th inning, the RailCats were still ahead 7-6.  The Saints defended their turf, not giving a single run to the RailCats.  And at the bottom of the 9th inning, the Saints tied it up with 1 run, then with 1 out on the board and bases loaded, they scored an 8th run, pulling this game firmly out of the ash can.

It was the kind of game that you'd expect to see in a Hollywood movie, with the dramatic tension kept tight all the way to the 9th inning climax.  I can imagine the credits rolling as the Saints celebrated on the field in slow motion.

It was the perfect end to a hard, sweltering workweek.  I encourage you to enjoy the down-to-earth charm and excitement that only minor league baseball can provide.

Note:

I first assumed a rail cat was a railworker who maintained the railways, replacing ties and rails and so forth.  However, I have heard that a rail cat is a cat who lives in a rail yard, no doubt eating mice who feed on grain brought in by cargo trains.  Of course, the rail yard is a hazardous place, so a rail cat must be agile, vigilant, and fearless.  Don't play in railyards, kids!  Trains can be dangerous!