Category: Kansas City Monarchs

The Kansas City Monarchs (47-24) came from behind to beat the Cleburne Railroaders (39-31) by a score of 9-6, thanks to a three-run homer by catcher Alexis Olmeda.

Fresh out of Washburn, pitcher Brock Gilliam (2-0) got the win for the Monarchs after pitching for one inning and recording two strikeouts.

Jameson McGrane got the save when he pitched for two innings, recorded one hit with two walks and a strikeout.

Newcomer Ibandel Isabel kicked off the fun for Kansas City, hitting a two-run home run off his first-ever pitch as a Monarch, scoring himself and Casey Gillaspie.

Following the homer excitement, Will Kengor and Drew Ferguson each singled to get on base. Alexis Olmeda filled up the bases with a walk then a sacrifice fly by Morgan McCullough scored Kengor.

Charcer Burks followed McCullough with another sacrifice fly and ended up scoring Drew Ferguson, bringing the Monarchs up 4-0.

The Railroaders tied up the ballgame in the top of the fourth, thanks to a single by Chase Simpson and a three-run home run by Hunter Clanin.

Cleburne’s Chase Simpson hit a two-run home run, breaking the tie and taking the lead in the top of the sixth, 6-4.

Alexis Olmeda was fired up in the bottom of the seventh, hitting a three-run homer to pull ahead of the Railroaders.

McCullough hit a ground-rule double to keep the crowd on their feet, then Burks hit a single to center to bring McCullough home to put the Monarchs over the Railroaders 8-6.

Gaby Guerrero kept the momentum going in the bottom of the eighth, hitting a single, followed by Gillaspie walking to first. Ibandel Isabel then hit a single to draw Guerrero home from second base, making the final score 9-6.

The Kansas City Monarchs continue their series against the Cleburne Railroaders Friday night, first pitch is set for 7 p.m. with the gates opening at 6 p.m. The game will air on the Monarchs Broadcast Network with the pre-game beginning at 6:30 p.m., while the video stream airing on aabaseball.tv at first pitch.

Friday night is Disney Theme night, with Disney character appearances. There will be pre-game skydivers. The first 1,000 fans will receive a Monarchs drawstring bag.

Tickets to all Monarchs games can be purchased by calling 913-328-5618 or by visiting monarchsbaseball.com.

• Story by Emerson Peavey, Monarchs

Fargo-Moorhead came from behind in the eighth inning to win 8-6 over the Kansas City Monarchs Tuesday night in an away game.

The Monarchs had been leading in the bottom of the eighth, until the RedHawks rallied. Alex Boxwell, Fargo centerfielder, hit a two-run home run that decided the game.

Luke Lind got the win for the RedHawks, while Jacob Lindgren, who pitched one inning, took the loss for the Monarchs. The Monarchs’ Ryan Newell gave up five runs on seven hits during 4.1 innings.

Gabby Guerrero, Casey Gillaspie and Alex Olmeda had two hits each for the Monarchs.

On Monday night, the Monarchs’ nine-game winning streak was snapped by Fargo-Moorhead, 9-6. The game included a home run by Morgan McCullough in the ninth inning.

On Wednesday, the American Association of Professional Baseball decided to expand the post-season schedule with a play-in game to allow the second- and third-place clubs in each division to play each other for the right to the advance to the North and South Division Championship Series.

The second- and third-place clubs will play Wednesday, Sept. 8, in the one-game playoff. The winner will advance to play the regular season champion of the division in a best-of-five Division Championship Series beginning on Sept. 10. Division winners then will advance to the American Association best-of-five Division Championship Series. The American Association Finals will begin Sept. 17.

The Monarchs, 45-24, are currently listed as the No. 1 team in the South Division of the American Association, with Cleburne No. 2. The Sioux City Explorers are the No. 3 team in the South Division. Fargo is the No. 2 team in the North Division, which is led by the Milwaukee Milkmen. The Chicago Dogs are No. 3 in the North Division.

The Monarchs are scheduled to play Fargo-Moorhead again at 7:02 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 4, in an away game.

Then the Monarchs are scheduled to return to Kansas City, Kansas, to play No. 2 Cleburne at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 5, at Legends Field.

For ticket information, visit https://monarchsbaseball.com/tickets/.

In the series finale Sunday against Chicago (40-29), the Monarchs (45-22) won 2-1 in a pitcher’s duel.

Starter and right-hander Jake Matthys earned a quality start in his Sunday performance.

Chicago scored its lone run in the second inning. The Dogs started with a trio of singles. With Ryan Haug and Harrison Smith on first and second, Cosimo Cannella singled, driving in Haug to put the Dogs up 1-0.

After giving up his lone run in the second, Matthys found his stride through the rest of his outing, giving him a quality start.

In six innings pitched, he gave up nine hits, one earned run, two walks, and struck out three.

The Dogs’ starter, Shane Barringer, forced the Monarchs offense to struggle throughout his performance. Through his six innings, Kansas City recorded five hits and struck out six times.

In the seventh inning, Kansas City finally got on the board. With runners at first and second, Morgan McCullough hit a triple into right-center field, driving in both runners and giving the Monarchs a 2-1 lead.

McCullough went two-for-four with two RBIs in his performance and now boasts a 12-game hitting streak.

Right-hander Brock Gilliam went two innings for the Monarchs. He gave up no runs, one hit, and struck out one. Right-hander Justin Donatella entered in the ninth for the save opportunity. He struck out two, securing the win for the Monarchs.

With a 2-1 win against the Chicago Dogs, the Monarchs have now won nine in a row.

The Monarchs are now on the road for a three-game series against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, beginning on Monday night. First pitch is set for 7:02 p.m. The game can be heard on the Monarchs Broadcast Network with the pre-game beginning at 6:32 p.m. and the video stream airing on aabaseball.tv.

Tickets to Monarchs games can be purchased by calling 913-328-5618 or by visiting monarchsbaseball.com.

– by Jason Nick