Cooper gets first win; T-Bones take series

Jordan Cooper got his first win of the season and Kansas City’s offense got timely hits as the T-Bones beat the Joplin Blasters, 7-4, Monday night at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.

The T-Bones got on the board first in the bottom of the first inning. Leadoff hitter Tyler Massey began the inning strong for Kansas City with a double to centerfield. He was tagged out at third on a grounder by Vladimir Frias, but then Jake Blackwood gave Kansas City a 2-0 lead with a home run, his second of the season.

Joplin answered Kansas City with two runs in the top of the third. With one out, Mitch Glasser, Geraldo Valentin and Charlie Valerio hit three consecutive singles off T-Bones’ starter Cooper. The third, by Valerio, scored Glasser. Valerio was able to go to second on an error by right fielder Christian Torres. Willie Cabrera’s sacrifice fly to centerfield sent home Valentin, tying the game, 2-2.

The game didn’t stay tied for long. In the bottom of the third, Kansas City’s offense put together four runs against Joplin starter Frank Del Valle.

After Massey reached on a base hit, Del Valle (0-1) walked Frias, setting up Blackwood for an RBI single. The T-Bones scored again on an error by Blasters’ third baseman Cory Morales on a ball off the bat of Anthony Gallas, which scored Frias.

With one out, Brett Wiley singled and sent Blackwood home. Torres ended the scoring with a two-out single to left that scored Gallas and gave Kansas City a 6-2 lead.

Cooper (1-0), a Topeka, Kan., native, allowed seven hits and three runs in seven innings for the T-Bones.

With the win, Kansas City took three of four from Joplin and won its second series of the season. The T-Bones (11-14) begin a three-game series at Wichita on Tuesday night at 7:05. All of the action can be heard online at TBonesBaseball.com.

– Story from Matt Fulks, T-Bones

Missouri driver runs into convoy vehicle on I-70 in Wyandotte County

A Liberty, Mo., man ran into a military convoy vehicle about 3:53 p.m. Saturday, June 11, on I-70 westbound, a little west of K-7 in Wyandotte County.

According to the Kansas Turnpike Authority trooper’s report, a Ford F-150 truck changed lanes from the left lane to the right lane and struck a Hummer in the rear.

The driver of the pickup truck, a 36-year-old man, was not injured, according to the trooper’s report.

Two Kansas City, Kan., men in the Hummer, the 35-year-old driver and 55-year-old passenger, had possible injuries, according to the trooper’s report.

Strong, severe storms possible this evening

Potential for strong storms (National Weather Service graphic)
Potential for strong storms (National Weather Service graphic)

Strong to severe storms will be possible later this evening, the National Weather Service said.

The forecast is uncertain, since morning storms in Kansas will bring complications to the storm potential, according to the weather service. Details should emerge through the day as the system evolves.

Should storms form this afternoon, hail up to 2 inches, gusty winds around 60 mph, and frequent lightning will be the main concerns, according to the weather service. An isolated tornado cannot be ruled out, but overall concern for tornadoes is pretty low.

Today, there is a 30 percent chance of showers and storms, mainly after 2 p.m., the weather service said. The high will be 89, and the heat index could be as high as 95. There will be a south wind of 6 to 11 mph. Less than a tenth of an inch of precipitation is expected, with more possible during storms.

Tonight, there is a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1 a.m. The low will be around 72, and there will be a southwest wind of 5 to 9 mph. Between a quarter and half-inch of rain is possible.

Wednesday’s forecast is sunny and a high near 96. The heat index will be as high as 101. There will be a west southwest wind of around 8 mph.

Wednesday night, the low will be around 75, with a south southwest wind of 3 to 6 mph.

Thursday and Friday will see temperatures climb into the middle to upper 90s, with heat index values approaching 100 to 110 degrees, according to the weather service.

Thursday’s forecast is sunny with a high near 96, and a south southeast wind of 5 to 7 mph, the weather service said. Thursday night’s low will be 74.

Friday, it will be mostly sunny with a high near 94, according to the weather service. Friday night’s low will be around 72.

Thursday maximum heat index (National Weather Service graphic)
Thursday maximum heat index (National Weather Service graphic)

Friday maximum heat index (National Weather Service graphic)
Friday maximum heat index (National Weather Service graphic)