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FARGO, N.D. – Keith Brachold hit a grand slam as part of a seven-run third inning that led to the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks 7-5 win over the St. Paul Saints in front of 4,288 fans at Newman Outdoor Field on Tuesday night.

The RedHawks gave up five runs in the first three innings before scoring seven unanswered in the bottom of the third.

St. Paul Saints’ (32-30) starter Anthony Claggett (6-3) gave up a single to Mitch Einertson, hit Todd Jennings with a pitch and gave up another single to Zach Penprase to load the bases. After Ronnie Bourquin was issued a walk to score Einertson, Nic Jackson and C.J. Retherford hit back-to-back RBI singles to bring Fargo-Moorhead within two runs. With no outs and the bases loaded, Keith Brachold hit a grand slam over the right-field fence to put the RedHawks in front 7-5.

“To me that is the sign of great team – a team that doesn’t lay down after facing adversity,” said Keith Brachold.

“Collectively we needed at-bats,” said RedHawks manager Doug Simunic. “We needed to work our way back into the game after getting down early.”

It was an early exit for Fargo-Moorhead starter Paul Burnside after he went just 1 1/3 innings before giving way to Mackenzie King. King (2-1) went 4 2/3 innings – the longest of any reliever out of the Fargo-Moorhead bullpen this season – giving up just two runs on six hits to earn the win.

Nathan Kilcrease and Joe Harris combined to shut down the Saints in the last three innings. Neither gave up a hit and Harris earned his first save of the season.

St. Paul’s Adam Frost had a big night at the plate going 3-for-5 with a run and three stolen bases. Ole Sheldon was 2-for-4 with a run scored. Combined, Frost and Sheldon accounted for four of the five Saints’ run RBIs. Jose Hernandez also had a multi-hit night for St. Paul.

Claggett went four innings for the Saints after giving up seven runs on seven hits. Dustin Klabunde, Jon Plefka and Bryan Henry pitched the final four innings, holding the RedHawks to only two hits after the third inning.

Jackson and Einterson each had a multi-hit game for Fargo-Moorhead, both going 2-for-4 with a run scored.

The RedHawks moved to 39-24 on the season, tallying their 999th regular season franchise win to give them a 6.5 game lead in the North Division.

The RedHawks and Saints face-off for game two of the series Wednesday at 7:02 p.m. Tickets are available at fmredhawks.com or by calling (701) 235-6161.