Through four innings Saturday night, the Kansas City T-Bones looked to be on their way to back-to-back wins over Lincoln.
A four-run fifth changed the momentum of the game and helped the Saltdogs beat the T-Bones 6-3 and clinch the season series over Kansas City.
The T-Bones faced a tall order against the American Association Pitcher of the Month for July in Derek Gordon, but the club was more than up to the task. Cedric Hunter hit a solo home run to start the game to give the T-Bones a 1-0 lead.
The T-Bones struck again, scoring two more in the third inning off Gordon. Zane Chavez singled to start the inning–part of a three hit night for the Kansas City catcher. Then with one out, Cedric Hunter walked to put runners at first and second. Marcus Lemon drove in a run with an RBI single and Kevin Keyes followed with another RBI single and the score was 3-0.
Gabe Perez gave up a leadoff single in the bottom of the first but then retired the next seven batters until he hit Ivan Marin with a pitch with one out left in the third. Perez was able to work around a one out walk in the inning and then seemed in control of the game after a 1-2-3 shut down fourth inning.
But in the fifth Brent Dean doubled for Lincoln, and Marin singled to left, bringing in Dean, to cut the lead to 3-1.
Perez walked Matty Johnson then gave up a double to Cesar Valera to cut the lead to 3-2 with runners and second and third. Curt Smith drove in a pair with a single, and it was 4-3 in favor of Lincoln. Rich Mascheri relieved Perez and got the final out of the inning.
Gordon had new life and was able to work into the sixth, getting one out after a lead off walk. The Lincoln pen held the game at 4-3, grabbing two big insurance runs in the seventh.
Jackson Lowery, making his second appearance for Kansas City, issued a walk to Cesar Valera to start the inning but struck out Curt Smith who was ejected from the game. The Saltdogs then loaded the bases and got a Randolph Oduber RBI single to score two and make it 6-3.
The T-Bones got a double to begin the top of the ninth, but closer Michael Wagner shut the door retiring the next three batters in order. The win went to Gordon (8-2) while Perez (6-4) suffered the loss. Wagner picked up his 14th save.
The T-Bones fell four games behind Lincoln in the Central Division but still hold a slim one game lead in the wild card race.
Tickets are available for home games online, by calling 913-328-5618 or by visiting in person the Providence Medical Center Box Office.
– Story from T-Bones