07/05/2003 4:01 PM - The T-Bones didn’t score a run in the first two innings, and then proceeded to score at least one in the last six to triumph over the St. Paul Saints 14-10 Saturday night at CommunityAmerica ballpark. The game, which went over three and a half hours in duration, featured a back-and-forth affair where no pitcher that appeared avoided giving up at least two runs.

After the Saints took an early 1-0 lead on starter Brandon Matheny, the T-Bones began their offensive explosion. Jack Jones doubled down the left field line to score two runs and give the T-Bones a 4-1 lead. The Saints would bounce right back when Adam Olow homered for the fourth time this season, driving in three runs to tie the game.

Kansas City answered with two runs in both the fourth and fifth innings to give reliever Nate Sevier what seemed to be a comfortable four run lead. But on this night, no lead was safe. Leland Swenson’s two-RBI double highlighted the Saints’ sixth inning and tied the game once again at 8-8.

The two teams would exchange single runs in the bottom of the sixth and top of the seventh before the T-Bones managed to pull away. In the bottom of the seventh, Bao Vinh singled, Taber Maier walked, and Eddie Pearson walked to load the bases with nobody out. The Saints elected to stay with reliever Wes Mindingall instead of bringing in another relief pitcher. Mindingall (0-1) walked in the next batter Rick Prieto to give the T-Bones a lead they would not relinquish.

D.J. Johnson (3-1) pitched the last three innings to earn his third victory of the season. He allowed only one earned run in his team-leading sixteenth appearance on the year. His effort assured that Brandon Matheny’s first start as a T-Bone would not be a losing one.

The two teams meet for the final time this season tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. Erik Grunwald looks to bounce back from his first loss of the season in his last start against perennial ace Jake Whitney.