Righty David Festa–the Minnesota Twins’ number four prospect and Verona, New Jersey, native–made his Triple-A debut with the St. Paul Saints.
And Festa, 23, who attended New Jersey’s Seton Hall and Seton Hall Prep, delivered, going five solid innings while surrendering just a run and ringing up seven strikeouts, as the Saints bested the Columbus Clippers (Cleveland Guardians), 6-1, last night at CHS Field.
The Saints utilized four hits in the bottom of the second inning to plate three runs and jumped out to an early lead. With one out, back-to-back singles by Kyle Garlick and Anthony Prato put runners at first and second. Jair Camargo made it 1-0 with an RBI single to left. After a passed ball moved the runners up to second and third, Andrew Stevenson extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a two-run single into center, making it 3-0.
In the fourth, the Saints added two more runs and took a four-run advantage. Garlick led off with a walk, moved to second on a groundout, and scored on a Camargo single, increasing their lead to 4-1. Camargo finished the night 2-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. Stevenson singled and Byron Buxton (MLB rehab) walked, loading the bases. Alex Kirilloff (MLB rehab) made it 5-1 with an RBI single into right field.
The Saints added to the lead in the fifth as Austin Martin led off with a single to left, moved to third on a ground rule double by Brooks Lee, and scored on a one out single from Prato making it 6-1.
The bullpen held it down, as Ronny Henriquez went 3.0 hitless, scoreless innings of relief while walking two and striking out three. Brent Headrick pitched a scoreless ninth, giving up one hit and striking out two.
Festa recorded a 3-3 mark with a 4.39 ERA and 104 strikeouts in 80 innings of work in 21 games, 19 starts, for the Double-A Wichita Wind Surge before the Twins called him up to the St. Paul.
— Jerry Del Priore
NY NJ Sports World/Brooklyn Sports World 