All Mikey O'Brien wanted was another shot at the St. Paul Saints.

After taking a hard-luck loss in Game 1 of the American Association series despite giving up only three hits, the Goldeyes right-hander took the ball on three days rest in the deciding game of the first-round match-up and pitched a gem, going seven shutout innings to propel his team to a 3-1 victory over the Saints on Monday at CHS Field.

With the win, the Goldeyes won the best-of-five series three games to two and they'll advance to the face the Wichita Wingnuts in the American Association Championship Series, which opens on Wednesday at Shaw Park.

The Wingnuts, who tied the Saints with the best record in the American Association at 61-39, eliminated the Sioux City Explorers in four games in the other league semifinal.

It was a downright brilliant pitching performance from O'Brien, who struck out seven and gave up only four hits while walking two before turning it over to the bullpen.

Victor Capellan took care of business in the eighth inning, striking out three while former big leaguer Winston Abreu struck out three more in the ninth to record his third save of the series.

Abreu gave up a solo homer to Nate Hanson with one out and then walked Angelo Songco to allow the Saints to bring the tying run to the plate.

But Abreu fanned Tony Caldwell and pinch-hitter Tony DiFazio to end the threat, which allowed the Goldeyes to overcome a 2-1 series deficit and advance to the ninth championship final in franchise history.

A quick start was key for the Goldeyes, as designated hitter Adam Heisler greeted Saints starter Mark Hamburger with a double off the wall on the first pitch of the game.

Heisler scored two batters later on an RBI single from Willie Cabrera.

Then in the third inning, the Goldeyes extended the lead by scoring a pair of runs.

Heisler got things going again, smacking another double, advancing to third after a sacrifice bunt from Maikol Gonzalez and scoring on a throwing error.

Gonzalez scored when Reggie Abercrombie delivered an RBI single.

The Saints threatened to cut into the deficit in the fifth inning.

But after getting consecutive singles to put runners on first and second with nobody out, Goldeyes third baseman Wes Darvill snagged a line driver off the bat of Caldwell and doubled up the runner off second base.

O'Brien eventually got Breland Almadova to hit into a fielder's choice to end the threat, stranding two base-runners in the process during an inning that saw the Saints collect three hits but fail to score a run.

In his two playoff starts so far, O'Brien (who was the Goldeyes' opening-day starter) has 12 strike outs in 14 innings of work, while giving up only seven hits.

Goldeyes first baseman David Rohm continued his torrid post-season pace, extending his playoff hitting streak to five games as he finished one-for-three.

Rohm leads the American Association in playoff batting average at .632 after going 12-for-19 in the series.

Goldeyes 3, St. Paul Saints 1

Winning pitcher: Mikey O'Brien (1-1)

Losing pitcher: Mark Hamburger (1-1)

Save: Winston Abreu (3)

Home runs: STP: Nate Hanson (1)

The skinny

The Goldeyes scored a run in the first inning, tacked on two more in the third and the pitching staff took care of the rest, combining for 13 strike outs while giving up only six hits. The Goldeyes erased a 2-1 deficit in the series, winning the final two games to advance to the American Association final, where they'll face the Wichita Wingnuts.

Player of the game

Goldeyes Mikey O'Brien

The Goldeyes starter showed no signs of fatigue while pitching on three days rest, tossing seven shutout innings while striking out seven, scattering four hits and walking only two batters in a brilliant performance.

Play of the game

With the tying run at the plate and two out, Goldeyes closer Winston Abreu struck out pinch-hitter Vince DiFazio to record the final out.

Up next

The Goldeyes advance to the American Association final for the first time since 2012, when they swept the Wingnuts in three games.