ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The Sioux Falls Canaries won an 11-inning marathon on Monday night, topping the St. Paul Saints with 1-0 victory at Midway Stadium.

J.P. Ramirez led off the 11th inning with a single and eventually scored the game-winning run on an error, the only one from either side. The Canaries won for the first time in extra innings and stole the opener of a four-game series.

In addition to brilliant pitching, the Canaries' defense made three key outs at home plate to preserve a shutout. In the fifth inning, Canaries right fielder Nick Van Stratten threw out Joey Becker attempting to score on Dwight Child's single. In the 10th with one out, third baseman Jared Clark threw out Brandon Tripp trying to score on a high chopper. One batter later, Adam Frost singled to left, but Ramirez gunned down Jose Hernandez to save the day.

Despite three hits allowed in the 10th, reliever Kirk Clark (1-4) survived to pick up the win. Alan DeRatt pitched a perfect 11th inning for his 19th save. He induced Brian Burgamy into a game-ending flyout.

Despite throwing nine scoreless frams, Kyle Ruwe could not win a bid to become the Canaries first 10-win starting pitcher this season. He scattered just six hits, all singles, and he induced 15 groundball outs to lower his season ERA to 3.58.

Ramirez' leadoff single in the 11th inning was the first hit for the Canaries since the fourth. Kevin Dultz sacrificed him to second base, but Stephen King then struck out. After Van Stratten was intentionally walked, both he and Ramirez moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. With Cory Morales batting, a Kyle Morrison (0-1) pitch went to the backstop. Ramirez broke for home before retreating to third, and catcher Dwight Childs threw to second trying to nab Van Stratten off the bag. His throw went wild, and Ramirez scampered home for the game's only run.

The Canaries spoiled an equally brilliant outing by St. Paul starter Anthony Claggett. Claggett permitted just three hits and one walk in nine innings.

The Canaries have played errorless defense in five straight games. Their last six games have been decided by two runs or less, and they are 3-3 in those contests.

Game two of the four-game series against the St. Paul Saints at 12:05 p.m. on Tuesday.

Courtesy:  Sioux Falls Canaries

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