It was heartbreak for the third time on the road trip for the Kansas City Monarchs in the Nebraska state capitol. The Lincoln Saltdogs (17-16) rallied from a 4-0 deficit late to walk off winners 5-4 over the Monarchs (19-15).
Former Kansas City T-Bone Forrestt Allday drew a bases-loaded walk with one out in the bottom of the ninth off Monarchs pitcher Jacob Lindgren (0-1) to send the Monarchs’ losing streak to three and to drop to 2-4 on the seven-game road trip.
The walk off spoiled what looked like a great evening for KC. Left-handed pitcher Cody Mincey tossed seven shut-out innings, scattering just three hits and a season-high seven strikeouts to set the tone on the mound.
On the other side, Lincoln starter Keenan Bartlett matched Mincey during the first three innings, holding the Monarchs scoreless.
The Monarchs offense got to work in the top of the fourth, with Colin Willis drawing a lead-off walk and moving to third on a double by Charcer Burks. Then, thanks to a sacrifice fly by Kevin Santa, Willis ran it home to get the Monarchs on the board.
Lincoln’s oldest player, Bryan Warner, at 46 years old, to a hit in the top of the fifth. Warner, who signed to a one-day contract, holds just about every offensive record in Saltdogs history and was signed due in part of the ongoing 20th anniversary celebration of the Saltdogs coming to Lincoln.
The Monarchs turned up the heat in the top of the eighth. Gabby Guerrero doubled and moved to third on a fielder’s choice to first by Casey Gillaspie.
Colin Willis slapped a single to the right side of the infield, scoring Guerrero to make it 2-0. Charcer Burks hit a double and advanced Willis to third. Burks then advanced to third thanks to a passed ball, allowing Willis to score to make it 3-0.
Kevin Santa then hit a single past a drawn-in infield on the left side, scoring Burks to make it 4-0 going into the bottom of the eighth.
Brian Ellington came in for Mincey, who went seven innings, allowing four hits, one walk and recording seven strikeouts.
Ellington struck out Warner but then walked the bases loaded. Ryan Long grounded out to first to score a run to make it 4-1 in favor of the Monarchs. David Vidal hit a three-run homerun off Ellington to left to tie the game at four. Jacob Lindgren struck out Skyler Weber for the third out.
In the top of the ninth James Pugliese worked a 1-2-3 frame to set up the bottom of the ninth. Lindgren struck out Edgar Corcino to start the inning but then hit Patrick Adams with a pitch, and walked Gunnar Buhner and Dusting Byrd.
With the bases loaded Lindgren walked Allday on a 3-1 count to give Lincoln its fourth win over KC this season in four tries.
The Monarchs will take on the Saltdogs in the final game of the three-game series Sunday afternoon in Lincoln and complete the longest road trip of the season. First pitch is slated for 1:35 p.m. The game can be heard on the Monarchs Broadcast Network with the pre-game beginning at 1:10 p.m. and the video stream airing on aabaseball.tv.
The Monarchs return to Legends Field in KCK Tuesday to begin a six-game homestand. The first game is a special 11 a.m. start against the Sioux Falls Canaries on Tuesday, June 29.
Tickets to Monarchs games can be purchased by calling 913-328-5618 or by visiting monarchsbaseball.com.
- Story from Emerson Peavey, Monarchs