A dominant performance by the Kansas City T-Bones led to a 6-0 shutout victory over the first place Sioux City Explorers Tuesday night in Kansas City, Kansas.
The T-Bones hit a season-high four home runs behind six scoreless innings from starting pitcher James Buckelew (1-0).
Kansas City took an early 2-0 lead in the second after Zach Walters and Cal Towey hit back-to-back home runs. A crucial error in the third inning by Sioux City allowed the T-Bones to extend the lead.
After Dylan Tice advanced to first on a 6-4 fielder’s choice, Todd Cunningham hit a single to put two runners on.
Zach Walters drove in Tice from second after a throwing error by the Explorers. Sioux City was credited with an unearned run. Kansas City led 3-0 heading into the fourth inning.
In the fourth inning, the T-Bones tallied their third home run of the game. Tucker Pennell crushed a two-run home run to left field, scoring Walters from first.
Kansas City took a commanding 5-0 lead after four. Adrian Nieto tacked on an insurance run in the eighth inning with another home run for the T-Bones.
James Buckelew, and the lights-out Kansas City bullpen combined for a 5-hit shutout against the team with the overall best record.
Combined with an impressive hitting display, the T-Bones pieced together one of their most cohesive games of the season. Louis Mateo (3-2) pitched six innings, allowing four earned runs on seven runs. Mateo is credited as the losing pitcher.
With the win the T-Bones go to (13-10) while Sioux City drops to (19-6).
The two teams played game three of their four-game series with a special 11:05 a.m. start Wednesday at T-Bones Stadium.
Individual tickets, season, group, mini-plans and nightly party suites are on sale and can be purchased by visiting the box office at T-Bones Stadium or at www.tbonesbaseball.com. Box office hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
– Story from T-Bones