Category: T-Bones

The Kansas City T-Bones’ pitching struggles continued Monday night, as the team fell, 10-5, to the Gary SouthShore RailCats at CommunityAmerica Ballpark, Kansas City, Kan.

One night after the RailCats scored seven runs in the first three innings against Kansas City starter Mike Nannini, Gary used timely hitting to jump on the T-Bones with six runs in the first four innings Monday.

The RailCats took a 2-0 lead in the second inning against Kansas City starter Blake Holovach. After a walk to Tillman Pugh and a single by Michael Schroeder beginning the second, Jose Sermo grounded out to Ryan Cavan, scoring Pugh from third base. Two batters later, J.D. Pulfer hit an RBI single to shallow left field that scored Schroeder.

The RailCats added four more runs in the fourth inning behind an RBI single by Pulfer, scoring Sermo and giving Gary a 3-0 lead. Two batters later, with Pulfer and Ryan Brockett already on base, Jon Jones hit a home run to right field, giving the RailCats a 6-0 lead. The home run gives Gary seven home runs as a team this season.

Things were going so well for Gary that it took a 9-0 lead in the top of the sixth against T-Bones reliever Derek Loera by getting the first six batters on base with a walk and five singles.

However, Kansas City’s defense limited the damage, as right fielder Jacob Hayes threw out Adam Taylor at home on a base hit by Jaime Del Valle. Two batters later, Del Valle was thrown out at third base by left fielder Adam Bailey on a base hit by Schroeder.

Trailing 9-0, Kansas City got on the board in the bottom of the sixth with a lead-off home run by Jake Blackwood, his seventh of the season and 99th of his career.

Even though the T-Bones were facing a 10-1 deficit, they came alive in the eighth inning behind an RBI single from Vladimir Frias that scored Bailey from third base.

Two batters later, James Boddicker hit an RBI single that scored Robby Kuzdale, who reached base on a single. Then, with the bases loaded, Gary SouthShore reliever Dan Ludwig hit Cavan, making the score 10-4. Nate Tenbrink cut the lead to 10-5 with a sacrifice fly to right that scored Boddicker.

Holovach (5-1) recorded his first loss of the season after pitching 4 innings and giving up seven hits, six earned runs and three walks. Loera, who came in the fifth inning, also struggled as he pitched 2 innings, giving up three earned runs on seven hits.

The T-Bones (29-22) will continue their four-game series against the RailCats (27-28) Tuesday night at CommunityAmerica Ballpark with the first pitch at 7:05. Tickets are available by calling the box office at CommunityAmerica Ballpark at 913-328-5618.

Legendary baseball star Mike Boddicker will appear Tuesday at CommunityAmerica Ballpark in Kansas City, Kan., as part of the 2015 Principal Financial Dreams Tour.

The Principal also will make a $1,000 donation to Helping Hands Kansas City.

At each tour stop, a former major-league great will meet with fans, sign autographs and pose for photos. The first 2,000 fans to arrive at the ballpark will receive a limited edition collectible baseball card featuring a photo of the player which, when signed, will be a valuable, limited edition souvenir.

Boddicker spent 14 seasons in the major leagues with Baltimore, Boston, Milwaukee and Kansas City. He was the 1983 ALCS MVP and an All-Star pitcher in 1984.

“We’re happy to welcome back The Principal Financial Group and are looking forward to another successful outing here at the ball park with Mike Boddicker, who was a great pitcher and whose son, James, now plays for the T-Bones,” said Joe Goll, the T-Bones director of promotions. “We’ve developed a great relationship with The Principal Financial Group over the years, so we’re excited for this year’s event.”

The Principal Financial Dreams Tour will appear at 17 minor-league ballparks across the country. Since 2004, The Principal has been producing events at minor-league parks and has sponsored more than 500 events attracting more than two million fans. In addition to the player appearance, fans will be able to participate in contests and will have the opportunity to receive information they can use to help them plan for their financial future. To learn more about the event and schedule, visit: www.principal.com/dreamstour/.

Tickets for the 7:05 game between Kansas City and Gary SouthShore are available by calling the Providence Medical Center Box Office at CommunityAmerica Ballpark at 913-328-5618.

The Gary SouthShore offense struck early with six runs in the first two innings en route to an 8-6 win over Kansas City on Sunday at CommunityAmerica Ballpark in Kansas City, Kan.

Gary SouthShore wasted no time against Kansas City starter Mike Nannini (1-1). After Jon Jones had an RBI groundout that scored J.D. Pulfer and moved Drew Martinez to second base, Michael Vaughn hit a home run that gave the RailCats a 3-0 lead. Vaughn’s home run, his second, was the sixth homer for the RailCats this season.

The T-Bones scored in the bottom of the first, but then Gary added three more runs in the second inning, thanks largely to three doubles. Ryan Brockett hit an RBI double to center field that scored Roger Bernal, giving the RailCats a 4-1 lead. Three batters later Jon Jones hit a two RBI double to center that scored Pulfer and Tillman Pugh, extending Gary’s lead to 6-1.

In the fifth inning, trailing 7-2, the T-Bones showed signs of life behind an RBI single from Robby Kuzdale that scored Jake Blackwood, cutting the lead to 7-3. The next batter, Vladimir Frias, hit an RBI single that scored Adam Bailey from second base and cut Gary’s lead to 7-4.

The T-Bones were threatening to more add runs in the seventh inning, but Gary’s right fielder Pugh robbed Frias of a two-run home run by catching the ball as he flipped over the right field wall and held the RailCats’ lead at 8-4.

The T-Bones did get a two-run homer in the ninth inning by Kuzdale that cut the deficit to 8-6.

The T-Bones (29-21) will continue their four-game series against the RailCats (26-28) Monday night at CommunityAmerica Ballpark with the first pitch at 7:05. Tickets are available by calling the box office at CommunityAmerica Ballpark at 913-328-5618.

To see a video of the over-the-wall catch by the RailCats that took a home run away from Vladimir Frias, visit https://youtu.be/-OqOaKKMBlo.
– Story from T-Bones