Friday night at CHS Field was anything but ordinary for St. Paul Saints fans. The ballpark buzzed with anticipation as two giants of the competitive eating world, Joey Chestnut—the 17-time Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Champion—and Notorious B.O.B., took center stage for a culinary spectacle that’s become a Saints tradition: the “Land of 10,000 Calories” challenge. While baseball was the main event, this massive food feat stole the spotlight, captivating everyone in attendance with its sheer audacity and the personalities involved.
The challenge itself is no joke. Imagine a six-foot-long hot dog, smothered in pulled pork, mac and cheese, bacon, jalapeños, and barbecue sauce. On either side of this behemoth bun? Six feet of fresh fries and a generous helping of jalapeño poppers. To wash it all down, four 20-ounce drinks stand at the ready. It’s a meal that would make even the hungriest fan pause. Yet, for Chestnut and Notorious B.O.B., it was just another day at the office—or rather, the ballpark.
As the Saints squared off against Iowa, Chestnut and Notorious B.O.B. dug in just as the first pitch was thrown. The crowd roared with each bite, cheering the duo on as they tackled the mountain of food. Every few minutes, the camera panned to their table, drawing more eyes to their progress than to the action on the diamond. And who could blame them? This was no ordinary eating contest—it was a test of endurance, strategy, and sheer willpower. Incredibly, the pair polished off the entire “Land of 10,000 Calories” in just 28 minutes and 49 seconds, a time that left fans and foodies alike in awe.
For those inspired to try the challenge themselves, the Saints have good news. Anyone attending a game at CHS Field can order the “Land of 10,000 Calories” at the Dog Park concession stand. The catch? It’ll set you back $135, and you’ll need to order well in advance—it takes about 45 minutes to prepare, and the kitchen can only manage about five per game. Still, for the brave (or hungry), it’s a bucket-list ballpark experience.
While Chestnut and Notorious B.O.B. were making headlines off the field, the Saints were battling on it. Unfortunately for the home crowd, the game itself didn’t go their way. The Saints fell to Iowa by a score of 10-5, but the contest had its share of drama and standout moments. Marco Raya took the mound to start for St. Paul, giving up a run in both the second and third innings before Iowa broke through with three more in the fourth. Raya’s final line: five runs (four earned) on seven hits over four innings, with three walks and two strikeouts.
The fifth inning brought its own kind of chaos. Lefty Christian MacLeod relieved Raya but struggled with his command, yielding four runs on three walks and two hits. After MacLeod labored through 39 pitches and the deficit stretched to eight runs, the Saints turned to a position player to get out of the jam. Anthony Prato, usually found at second base, took the mound and needed just five pitches to induce a fly out—caught fittingly by MacLeod, who had shifted to right field. Moments like these, where players step outside their usual roles, are part of what makes minor league baseball so unpredictable and entertaining.
Despite the lopsided score, there were bright spots for the Saints—none brighter than Kyler Fedko. The designated hitter turned first baseman put together a stellar night at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a walk, two runs, two RBIs, his third double of the season, and his very first home run as a Saint. Fedko’s performance continues what has been a magical season for him, and fans are starting to take notice. According to the game summary, “Fedko’s magical season continues to impress.”
Elsewhere in the lineup, Payton Eeles contributed by reaching base three times—once on a hit and twice after being hit by a pitch—and scoring a run. DaShawn Keirsey Jr. chipped in with an RBI single, while Anthony Prato, after his brief pitching stint, doubled and later scored. The Saints’ ability to string together hits and capitalize on Iowa’s miscues kept the game interesting, even as the deficit grew.
On the pitching side, Jarret Whorff provided stability out of the bullpen, tossing two scoreless innings in the late frames. His effort helped keep the game within reach, offering the Saints a chance for a late rally. But Iowa’s bats proved too much, and St. Paul couldn’t close the gap despite their best efforts.
The night also saw a special appearance from JP Smith, the Twins’ 17th-round pick from last month. Smith continued his hot streak, going 3-for-5 and maintaining a robust .370 batting average. His consistency at the plate has quickly made him one of the most intriguing prospects in the organization. Meanwhile, first-round pick Marek Houston made the trip to Minneapolis to meet Twins personnel and media, taking batting practice and soaking in the big-league atmosphere—a glimpse of what the future might hold for the talented infielder.
Beyond St. Paul, the Minnesota Twins’ minor league affiliates were all in action, with varying results. The Wichita Wind Surge fell 9-5 to NW Arkansas, despite a two-hit, one-homer night from Kala’i Rosario. The Cedar Rapids Kernels struggled against West Michigan, losing 13-2, but Brandon Winokur’s three-hit, one-RBI performance and two stolen bases were bright spots. Over in Fort Myers, the Mighty Mussels dropped a close one, 5-2, to Clearwater, with JP Smith again shining with three hits. And in the Dominican Summer League, the DSL Twins edged the DSL Mariners 7-5, thanks in part to a strong relief outing from Marlon Mirabal, who tossed 3 1/3 scoreless innings.
Friday’s action also brought news off the field. The Minnesota Twins placed catcher Christian Vazquez on the Injured List with a shoulder infection, calling up Jhonny Pereda from St. Paul. Pereda, fresh off a 4-for-4 performance with a walk, double, and home run in his last Saints game, will look to make an immediate impact at the big-league level. Meanwhile, left-hander Jake Murray, an undrafted free agent from Campbell, was signed and assigned to the FCL Twins, where he’s expected to continue his development in the Bridge League.
For Saints fans, the night was a whirlwind of food, fun, and baseball—just the way minor league summers are meant to be. Even with the loss on the scoreboard, the memories made at CHS Field, from Joey Chestnut’s eating heroics to Kyler Fedko’s breakout game, will linger long after the final out. With the season still unfolding and new faces making their mark, there’s no telling what surprises the next game might bring.
