The Columbus Clippers had a 1-0 lead going to the bottom of the sixth inning at St. Paul Saturday. For the third straight day, the Saints mounted a late charge, this time hitting two solo home runs to take the lead and hold on for the 2-1 win. Here are our three takeaways from Saturday’s contest:

1.  Early in this series, the Clippers got shaky performances from their starters and shutout relief appearances in the later innings. The past three days, the starters have been solid with the relievers giving up enough runs to lose two of the three games. On Saturday, starter Yorman Gómez had one of his better outings, going 5.1 scoreless innings and allowing just three hits while striking out three. Reliever Jake Miller gave up two solo shots and suffered the loss.

2.   In the first half of the season, Clippers’ batters averaged more than nine strikeouts a game. Recently, it appeared that the tide had turned. Columbus batters were putting the ball in play more and reaping the benefits. Well, the tide came back in Sunday (is that the right direction?). Saints’ pitching recorded 16 strikeouts and allowed only three hits. Retired-by-whiffs amounted to 60% of the Clippers’ outs.

3.   Carlos Hernández took the mound for the first time for the Clippers this season and looked good. He came out of the bullpen in the eighth inning and did not allow a run or a hit, giving up a walk and striking out two. He started the inning with an effective use of sliders and splitters. He finished things off with fast balls just above and below 97 mph. Hernández, who has 191 appearances in the Big Leagues, was claimed off waivers by Cleveland last season. He suffered an injury before this season started and played four rehab games in Arizona just before joining Columbus.