ST. PAUL, MN (September 12, 2026) - The St. Paul Saints had six runs through the first three innings, but just one hit. That was the type of game it was on Saturday night at CHS Field. The Saints came back from a four-run deficit for the third time in the series, but two late home runs by MJ Melendez turned a valiant comeback into a 9-7 defeat in front of 8,711.
For the fourth time in the series the Mets grabbed the lead in the first. Back-to-back walks to DÁndre Smith and Émilien Pitre put runners at first and second. Ronny Mauricio’s RBI single made it 1-0. Matt Wallner’s throwing error on the play allowed the runners to advance to second and third. Melendez’ RBI groundout followed by Vidal Bruján’s RBI single upped the lead to 3-0.
Without a hit, the Saints were able to grab two in the bottom of the first. Alan Roden and Hendry Mendez started the inning with walks. Aaron Sabato was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Wallner then hit a comebacker and Ofreidy Gómez got the out at home , but Kevin Parada’s throw to first went into right field allowing Mendez to score making it 3-1. Cody Morissette’s RBI fielder’s choice got the Saints within 3-2.
With two outs and nobody on in the second the Mets plated two. Smith ripped a double to right and scored on a single by Pitre as he took second on the throw home, increasing the lead to 4-2. Mauricio made it 5-2 with an RBI single to right.
Once again, the Saints scored without a hit, adding a run in the bottom of the second. With one out and Tanner Schobel at first, Noah Cardenas hit a ground ball in the hole at short that was backhanded by Mauricio, but his throw to second was wide as Schobel took third and Cardenas went to second. Alan Roden’s groundout scored Schobel getting the Saints to within 5-3.
The first two hitters in the third for the Mets added to their lead as Bruján led off with a single and that was followed by a two-run homer to right-center by Billy Amick, his seventh of the season, increasing the lead to 7-3.
Three walks loaded the bases for the Saints in the bottom of the inning and Tanner Schobel drove them all in with a double to right-center making it 7-6.
Kala’i Rosario tied the game for the Saints in the fourth with a solo homer to left, his ninth with the Saints and 20th overall this season, tying the game at seven.
Saints bulk reliever Ricky Castro was magnificent. He made just one mistake. Melendez, who hit two homers on Friday night, clubbed his first of the night, a leadoff homer in the seventh, his 21st of the season, putting the Mets back up 8-7. Castro went 4.0 innings allowing one run on four hits while fanning two.
Melendez backed that up with an insurance homer in the ninth, a solo blast to right his 22nd of the season, putting the Mets up 9-7.
The Saints put the tying runs on in the ninth when Ross singled to left and with two outs Cardenas walked. The Mets brought in left Jefry Yan to face the left Roden. On the first pitch of the at bat he grounded out to first ending the game.
The same two teams meet in the finale of the six-game series on Sunday afternoon at CHS Field at 1:07 p.m. The Saints are TBA and the Mets send RHP Justin Hagenman (0-0, 4.50). The game can be seen on the CW Twin Cities, MLB.TV, MiLB.com, and the Bally Sports Live app, and heard on KFAN Plus, 96.7 FM, all presented by Northland Ford Dealers.