The T-Bones didn’t have an answer for Sioux City starting pitcher Cody Forsythe as Kansas City dropped the series finale, 4-1, to the Explorers in front of 6,179 at CommunityAmerica Ballpark on Saturday night.
Both teams remained scoreless until the top of the third, when Sioux City got the first run of the night. Derrick Robinson led off the inning against starter Josh Tols (4-3) with a single to left. Matty Johnson followed with a home run down the left field line that was ruled foul initially, but then changed to fair by home plate umpire Mike Jarboe, giving Sioux City a 2-0 lead.
The Explorers added to their lead in the sixth. Kansas City reliever John Kovalik allowed a lead-off single to Tim Colwell and then walked Matt Koch. After a sacrifice bunt by Brendan Slattery and a walk to Derrick Robinson, Brett Zawacki relieved Kovalik and gave up a sacrifice fly to Johnson that gave Sioux City a 3-0 lead.
That’s all Forsythe needed. Forsythe faced one over the minimum through five innings and only three over the minimum through seven, before giving up a run in the eighth. Vladimir Frias got his first hit of the series as he singled to left, and advanced two bases on a wild pitch by Forsythe. Two outs later, Starlin Rodriguez tripled to the center field wall, scoring Frias and bringing the score to 4-1.
Forsythe (4-3) gave up four hits and walked three, with six strikeouts, in 8 innings. Connor Overton pitched a perfect ninth, recording his sixth save of the season.
Although they didn’t complete the sweep, the T-Bones have now four straight series.
Kansas City (22-27) is off Sunday before heading out for a 10-game, three-city roadtrip. The T-Bones will open with four games at Laredo, starting Monday night at 7:05. All of the action can be heard online at TBonesBaseball.com.
Story from Matt Fulks, T-Bones