The top two batters in Kansas City’s lineup combined for eight hits and three runs, with five of those hits and two of the runs coming from Ryan Cavan, in the T-Bones 4-2 win over Winnipeg in front of 5,704 at CommunityAmerica Ballpark on Thursday night.
Kansas City’s batters roughed up Winnipeg’s ace Nick Hernandez (7-2) on a superb offensive effort, as Hernandez gave up four earned runs, more than he’s given up all season. The T-Bones were also able to knock 11 hits off the Goldeyes’ starter, another season high against Hernandez.
The T-Bones, now 27-4 when scoring first, produced their first run of the game in the first inning. Cavan led off the first with a ground-rule double down the left field line.
Then, with Cavan at second, Nate Tenbrink laid a bunt down the first base line and reached for a single, advancing Cavan to third.
Jake Blackwood then stepped to the plate with one out and roped a sacrifice fly to deep left field, scoring Cavan for the 1-0 Kansas City lead.
The T-Bones added to their lead in the third inning, as three more runs crossed the plate.
Cavan led off the inning with a single, and then scored from first on a double by Tenbrink. Blackwood then stepped to the plate and singled, sending Tenbrink to third.
After an Adam Bailey groundout that scored Tenbrink, Robby Kuzdale advanced Blackwood to third on a groundout to shortstop Casio Grider. Vladimir Frias then drove in Blackwood with a single giving Kansas City a 4-0 lead.
The Goldeyes showed signs of offensive life in both the sixth and seventh innings. Adam Heisler sent a solo shot over the right field wall in the sixth off T-Bones starter Kris Regas, and a Luis Alen single scored Brad Boyer from second off reliever Joe Van Meter.
Although Kansas City finished with 13 hits, Cavan and Tenbrink accounted for eight of the hits, with Cavan going five-for-five, and Tenbrink going three-for-four with a walk. Cavan became the first T-Bones player of the season to go a perfect five-for-five from the plate, hitting four singles and a ground-rule double.
He’s the 11th T-Bones player with five hits in a game. The most recent was Bryan Sabatella, who had five hits in an 11-7 win against Amarillo on June 26, 2014.
Regas (5-3) had an exceptional start, allowing just one run on four hits while striking out three batters.
The T-Bones (32-22) will continue their four-game series against the Goldeyes (24-34) Friday night at CommunityAmerica Ballpark at 7:05. Tickets are available by calling the box office at CommunityAmerica Ballpark at 913-328-5618.
Scheduled for the Friday game is an appearance by the Falcon skydiving team.
– Story from T-Bones
