Category: T-Bones

T-Bones bats awaken to end losing streak

The Kansas City T-Bones set an early season high in runs scored, home runs and extra base hits as they doubled up the St. Paul Saints Friday night at CHS Field in St. Paul, 10-5.

Kevin Keyes was the headline act as he drove in six runs with a pair of long balls for Kansas City. Keyes launched his first in the top of the first to give the T-Bones a lead off Saints starter John Straka (1-1).

St. Paul answered with two runs of their own off T-Bones starter Gabe Perez (1-0), including a Danny Oh solo home run, but Perez settled down and went 5 ⅓ innings, scattering eight hits and adding eight strikeouts to get the win.

The T-Bones added to their lead in the fourth to make it 4-3 on an RBI from Joe Jackson, but it was another pair of three-run innings that provided the knockout punch to the Saints. Newly acquired T-Bones second baseman Zach Walters led off the top of the fifth with a solo blast, hitting the right field foul pole off Straka. Eddie Newton and Leo Rojas added an RBI each on a sacrifice fly by Newton and a single for Rojas to make the score 7-3.

St. Paul added a single run in the sixth, seventh and eighth, but the T-Bones were not done. Keyes hit his second homer of the game in the top of the eighth—another three-run effort off Corey Williams, and the final score was 10-5 for Kansas City, ending a five-game losing streak.

The series continues at 7:05 p.m. Saturday night in St. Paul with game two of the three game series and game two of the current 10 game road trip. Right-hander Chris Perry goes for Kansas City against fellow right-hander Jason Creasy for St. Paul. The game can be heard on the T-Bones Broadcast Network online at tbonesbaseball.com.

Tickets to future home games are available online, by calling 913-328-5618 or by visiting in person the Providence Medical Center Box Office.

– Story from T-Bones

United Way, T-Bones launch fundraising program for charities

The United Way of Wyandotte County and the Kansas City T-Bones have launched a program that will allow fundraising events for charities to be held at ball games and T-Bones events.

The “Featured Charity Partner of the Game” program will provide a partnership between a charitable organization and the T-Bones, allowing the fundraising event for the charity, marketing opportunities and events such as first pitch, photo opportunities with Sizzle and the awarding of the game ball.

The first scheduled Featured Charity Partner of the Game is with the United Way of Wyandotte County at 7:05 p.m. June 20. The Kansas City T-Bones will be taking on the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks.

The United Way will be selling tickets for $9 at its office located at 434 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. Tickets must be purchased by June 15. Call 913-371-3676 for tickets or email Cindy Cash at [email protected].

To learn more about the benefits and how a charitable organization can be the Featured Charity Partner on the Game program with the Kansas City T-Bones, contact Kacy Muller, 913-328-5640 or [email protected].

T-Bones fall to Gary in extra innings, 3-2

After back-to-back nights of inclement weather, the sun finally came out at CommunityAmerica Ballpark Wednesday night in Kansas City, Kansas. Unfortunately, the Kansas City T-Bones’ losing streak reached five games in a hard-luck 13-inning loss to the Gary SouthShore RailCats, 3-2.

Calvin Drummond tossed the first quality start this year for the T-Bones and threw three straight scoreless innings to start the ballgame. After walking five during his opening night start, Drummond bounced back by not issuing any free passes on the way to a six-strikeout performance, receiving a no decision.

Gary took the lead in the fourth inning on back-to-back RBI singles from Alex Crosby and Wilfredo Gimenez to make it 2-0. The game stayed that way until the home half of the seventh when the T-Bones tied it.

Chase McDonald hit his first homerun of the year, a solo shot to right, off reliever Laetten Galbraith to cut Gary’s lead to 2-1. Daniel Rockett muscled a double before Galbraith walked both Christian Correa and Eddie Newton, to load the bases. It was back to the top of the line-up with Omar Garcia trying to capitalize on the inning, and he did just that — with a single RBI scoring McDonald and tying the game 2-2.

Kansas City had its best chance to win the game in the bottom of the eighth inning, when it managed to load the bases off Galbraith with one out. Galbraith buckled down and was able to force Christian Correa to hit into a first-to-home double play to end the threat for the T-Bones.

The two teams remained scoreless until the 13th inning when Wilfredo Gimenez hit a single and Kris Goodman came in as a pinch runner. Goodman stole second, Ryan Fitzgerald hit a fly to center field, and rookie Andy De Jesus hit a double to center to bring Goodman home, ultimately getting the winning hit for Gary, 3-2.

Drasen Johnson (1-0) earned the win for Gary SouthShore while Aaron Brooks (0-2) was charged with the loss for Kansas City. Gary’s Ryan Fritze earned his first save of the season.

T-Bones manager Joe Calfapietra realized that his team had opportunities against Gary during the game but never capitalized on them.

“It’s very disappointing right now, but we have to stay positive and keep on going. There’s a lot of season left,” he said.

The T-Bones will travel for the first time this year to start a 10-game road trip, opening a three-game series against the St. Paul Saints, Friday through Sunday. The Saints have a record of 5-2.

All games of the road trip can be heard on the T-Bones Broadcast Network, http://mixlr.com/t-bones-baseball/.

Tickets are available online, by calling 913-328-5618 or by visiting in person the Providence Medical Center Box Office.

– Story from T-Bones