Joe Ryan, the talented pitcher for the Minnesota Twins, made his highly anticipated return to the mound on Tuesday, leading the St. Paul Saints to an impressive 11-2 victory over the Omaha Storm Chasers. Ryan had been sidelined since August 4 due to a strained glute, and his performance in this rehab start is a promising sign as he aims to rejoin the Twins before the end of the season.
In his three innings of work, Ryan threw a total of 42 pitches, showcasing his skills by allowing just one hit, which was a solo home run. He also struck out four batters, demonstrating that he still possesses the strikeout ability that has made him a key figure in the Twins' rotation. After Ryan's outing, Ryan Gallagher took over in the fourth inning, earning the win with a solid performance of his own. Gallagher pitched four innings, giving up six hits and one run while striking out six and walking two.
The Saints wasted no time establishing their dominance in the game, with first baseman Aaron Sabato hitting a three-run homer in the top of the first inning. This marked Sabato's 23rd home run of the season, bringing him within one of Matt Wallner, who currently holds the team lead and franchise Triple-A record with 24 homers. While Wallner did not add to his tally in this game, the Saints' offense was further bolstered by second baseman Cody Morrissette, who contributed his 13th home run of the season, and Emmanuel Rodriguez, who hit his 11th.
Rodriguez had a standout performance, going 4 for 5 at the plate, driving in two runs and scoring three times himself. His efforts were instrumental in St. Paul’s 12-hit offensive display, which overwhelmed the Storm Chasers throughout the game.
With this victory, the Saints improved their record to 75-57 and are looking to maintain their momentum as they prepare for their next game. They will return to action at Werner Park in Papillion, Nebraska, on Wednesday afternoon for a matinee matchup against the Storm Chasers. The Saints will send Ricky Castro to the mound, who holds a record of 3-3 with a 5.36 ERA, to face Omaha's Ryan Ramsey, who has a record of 5-7 and a 5.91 ERA.
As the season progresses, Ryan's successful return is crucial for the Twins, who are looking to solidify their pitching staff as they approach the final stretch of the season. His performance in this rehab start may pave the way for a timely return to the major leagues, where he has already made a significant impact this year.
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