A strong start from the Saints set them up for an 8-2 victory on the road Tuesday night over the Omaha Storm Chasers, who led the Triple-A International League at the season’s halfway point.

St. Paul notched five runs in the first inning, after Payton Eeles, DaShawn Keirsey Jr. and Yunior Severino loaded the bases, and Michael Helman landed an RBI single to center.

Deigo Castillo added a bases loaded walk and Jair Camargo hit a sacrifice fly. Rylan Bannon brought the total to five with a two-run single to right-center.

After scheduled starter Caleb Boushley was promoted to the Twins, the game fell to the bullpen pitchers. Ryan Jensen threw two scoreless innings, Zack Weiss allowed just one run during his two innings, and Nick Wittgren got a perfect fifth in his three innings, letting one run by. Josh Winder finished up for the Saints with another two shutout innings.

The Saints’ seventh run, in the sixth inning, was Carson McCusker’s first Triple-A homer.

Kiersey Jr. made it to 11 hits in the season, going 3-5 with an RBI and two runs, which is tied for the fourth most in a single season with the Saints with Jermaine Palacios.

The Storm Chasers and the Saints continue the series with game two tonight, at 6:35 p.m.

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