Category: Kansas City Monarchs

Monarchs win 8-6, to play Tuesday morning in KCK

Kansas City (20-15) got the win over Lincoln (17-17) 8-6 as both Jan Hernandez and Gabby Guerrero hit their own three-run home runs to lead the offense on Sunday in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Hernandez finished three-for-five with three RBIs and Guerrero finished three-for-five as well with four RBIs.

The offense for both clubs did not waste any time getting the bats hot as the Monarchs and Saltdogs put up multiple runs on the board early.

The entire lineup for the Monarchs got an at bat in the first inning. Out of the nine that came up to the plate, six got on base. Ryan Grotjohn got things started with a single, as Jan Hernandez doubled immediately after, putting runners at second and third. Gabby Guerrero stepped up to the plate and launched a big three-run home run, his ninth of the season, to put the Monarchs up 3-0.

Right-handed pitcher Nick Travieso (4-4) got the start on the mound for the Monarchs. Despite his recent success on the bump his last few starts, he struggled, giving up runs early on. In the bottom half of the first, after walking a batter, Travieso gave up a two-run home run to Josh Altmann of the Saltdogs as they cut into the Monarchs lead, making it a 3-2 contest.

The Saltdogs continued their batting success in the second inning but not the usual way. Three straight bunts by the Saltdogs put runners in scoring position, and then they scored one run off the third bunt to tie the game 3-3.

In the fourth inning, Kevin Santa got started for the Monarchs with a single, followed by a Grotjohn walk that put two on base. Hernandez continued his hot performance, launching a three-run home run of his own for his ninth homer of the season, putting the Monarchs back on top 6-3.

The Saltdogs did not go away by any means. In the fifth inning, Forrestt Allday of the Saltdogs hit a solo shot to cut back into the Monarchs lead. Josh Altmann went onto double and then was followed up by a two-run home run from Ryan Long to tie the game 6-6.

Travieso ended his night pitching five innings, giving up eight hits and six runs with one walk along with two strikeouts, but he earned the win.

The back-and-forth game continued in the sixth. Santa started things off with a single, followed by Sweeney’s getting hit by a pitch, putting two on. Sweeney went on to steal second as runners advanced. A wild pitch by the Saltdogs let Santa come in to score, putting the Monarchs back in the lead 7-6. A Guerrero single drove in Sweeney to make it an 8-6 game.

Left-handed pitcher Elroy Urbina came in to start off the sixth inning, replacing Travieso. He got his job done by only giving up one hit and one walk with one strikeout and no runs allowed in his three innings pitched.

With the Monarchs still leading 8-6 heading into the bottom of the ninth, left-handed pitcher Carlos Diaz entered the game for the save opportunity. The Saltdogs went three up, three down as Diaz struck out one to seal the win. Diaz earned his sixth save of the season.

The Monarchs secured the win 8-6, taking one of three from the Saltdogs.

After an off-day on Monday, the Monarchs will be back home on Tuesday to kick off a three-game series against the Sioux Falls Canaries. First pitch for game one of the series on Tuesday is set for 11 a.m. The game can be heard on the Monarchs Broadcast Network with the pre-game beginning at 10:40 a.m. and the video stream airing on aabaseball.tv.

Free COVID-19 vaccines will be available at the Monarchs game Tuesday at Legends Field in Kansas City, Kansas.

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

  • Story from Jason Nick, Monarchs

Another walk-off win for Saltdogs over Monarchs

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

Late home run, rain too much for Monarchs

After the Kansas City Monarchs (19-14) drove over night in severe rain and storms, it looked like the Monarchs and Saltdogs would dodge any rain on Friday night in their series opener.

A late home run off the bat of Ryan Long just minutes before the skies opened up in the eighth inning Friday was the difference in a 3-2 win for the Lincoln Saltdogs (16-16).

Gabby Guerrero hit a solo blast off lefty starter Kyle Kinman in the second to give KC a 1-0 lead.

The Saltdogs took the lead in the bottom of the second on a walk off Gregori Vasquez by Long and a stolen base off second.

David Vidal moved Long to third on a sacrifice bunt, and he cane home on a sacrifice fly from Skyler Weber to tie the game. Edgar Corcino doubled with two outs, and Partrick Adams singled to give Lincoln the lead 2-1.

Vasquez tossed a quality start for the Monarchs, going six innings and giving up the two runs to get a no decision. Kinman looked like he would get the win, but in the seventh the Monarchs scratched out a run to even the score at two.

Johnny Field got hit by a Kinman pitch with one out. Then a single off the stick of Alexis Olmeda moved Field to third for Kevin Santa. Santa hit a bloop single to right that scored Field, but Olmeda was thrown out at second owing to having to wait to make sure the ball got down and was not caught in right.

Carter Hope came in to face Darnell Sweeney, and he struck out the Monarchs third sacker for out number three. Elroy Urbina worked a scoreless seventh inning for Kanas City to keep the game even at two.

That sent the game to the eighth just as the rains were moving into the area. The Monarchs got a one-out walk off Hope, but a double play ball erased any chance to take the lead.

In the home half of the stanza, Brian Ellington faced Long, who hit the solo homer to start the eighth for the lead and eventual winning tally.

With two outs, the skies opened up, and the grounds crew could only get the right side of the infield covered, and then the rains blew through downtown Lincoln. After a delay the game was called, with Lincoln winning 3-2.

The loss was the second in a row in heart-breaking fashion for KC, and the road trip record now is 2-3 with two more games on the swing in Lincoln.

The Monarchs will take on the Saltdogs in game two of the three-game series Saturday night in Lincoln. First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m. The game can be heard on the Monarchs Broadcast Network with the pre-game beginning at 6:40 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.

  • Story from Dan Vaughan, Monarchs