by Nolan Brooks
Another day and another doubleheader for the Kansas City T-Bones (20-18) as they split the doubleheader against the Chicago Dogs (18-18), losing the first one 11-4 but taking the second one, 7-3, to win the series three games to one.
The T-Bones resumed play in the bottom of the third with Kevin Hamann on the mound, and Chicago wasted no time getting into the game after a double from Edwin Arroyo would tie the game up at one run each. Chicago then added to the board with an RBI putout that gave the Dogs a 2-1 lead after three innings.
Chicago kept the bats going with back-to-back home runs from Trey Vavra and Keon Barnum on only the third pitch of the inning to increase their lead to 4-1 the next inning.
KC’s Daniel Nava had other plans though after a double from him scored Dylan Tice to cut the Dogs lead to 4-2 through five innings.
The Dogs had no time for comebacks after a towering double to right center from Keon Barnum and a double from Victor Roache increased the Dogs’ lead to 6-2, quieting the T-Bones.
Just when the sixth inning crumble seemed to be over, Chicago continued the scoring with a sacrifice fly to go up 7-2. Chicago’s David Olmedo-Barrera added into the mix with a two-out triple to bury the T-Bones even deeper and go up 9-2 for the fifth run scored in the sixth inning alone.
The T-Bones did not go away quietly after a double from Danny Mars and a monster home run from newcomer Chris Colabello cut the Dogs lead to 9-4.
Chicago’s Keon Barnum was having a day, smashing a two-run shot for his second homer of the day keeping Chicago safe with an 11-4 lead through seven innings.
The Dogs closed game one of the doubleheader with an 11-4 victory, giving Carlos Zambrano the win (1-0) and Kevin Hamann the loss (1-1).
T-Bones win second game, 7-3
Game two of the doubleheader started much better for the T-Bones after an infield single from Shawn O’Malley scored Dylan Tice, and a run scored after a walk for KC to give the T-Bones a 2-0 lead early after one inning.
The scoring continued for KC after a three-run moonshot into the parking garage increased the T-Bone lead to 5-0, and the T-Bones did not stop there, scoring one more after a putout RBI from Forrestt Allday gave the T-Bones a 6-0 lead.
Despite two scoreless innings, Chicago got on the board after three straight doubles from Edwin Arroyo, Rey Gonzalez and Jordan Dean gave Chicago life and cut the KC lead to 6-2.
The Dogs kept on firing and scored one more after a sacrifice fly from Trey Vavra to make it a 6-3 ballgame through three innings.
The T-Bones offense responded, however, with a solo wall scraper home run from Chris Colabello to increase the lead to 7-3 KC, much to the disapproval of Dogs manager Butch Hobson, who was ejected after arguing the home run.
Both teams went quiet thanks to the bullpen on both sides, but the T-Bones took game two of the doubleheader 7-3 to win the series over Chicago.
KC’s Kenny Koplove (1-1) is credited the win while Luke Westphal (5-1) is credited the loss in game two of the doubleheader.
The T-Bones will continue their road trip as they take on the Gary SouthShore RailCats in a three-game series this weekend. The games will be on the T-Bones Broadcast Network at http://mixlr.com/t-bones-baseball/, with a first pitch of 7:10 p.m. Friday night.
The T-Bones’ next home game will be against Sioux Falls at 7:05 p.m. July 2 at T-Bones Stadium in Kansas City, Kansas.
Full and half-season 2019 ticket packages as well as mini plans are on sale online or by calling 913-328-5618 or by visiting the Saint Luke’s Box Office between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Group ticket sales are also on sale.
