Nick Giarraputo’s first home run of his T-Bones career couldn’t have come at a better time. It was the final run in a three-run fourth inning that helped propel Kansas City to a 5-3 win over Laredo in front of 5,922 Saturday night at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.
Laredo struck first with a familiar weapon, the long ball. In the bottom of the second, John Alonso launched a solo home run off Kansas City starter Pat Doyle (2-2).
Trailing 1-0 and looking for their first hit of the game, the T-Bones got to Laredo starter Josh Strawn in the fourth inning. Danny Richar led off the inning with a triple and was brought home as Nick Schwaner flew out to center. Vladimir Frias then reached second on a throwing error by shortstop Devin Goodwin. Two pitches later — a steal and then a wild pitch — Frias scored. That’s when Giarraputo roped a solo shot over the mini-monster in left that gave Kansas City a 3-1 lead.
David Espinosa tacked on an insurance run in the fifth with a two-out triple to deep center, and was advanced home on throwing error to third by Travis Denker.
Doyle allowed just six hits off three runs and struck out five. Kris Regas notched his fifth save with a scoreless ninth. Giarraputo went two for three and scored two runs.
With the win, the T-Bones are now 11-12. They conclude game a three-game series with Laredo Sunday afternoon at 5:05. Tickets are available by calling the Providence Medical Center Box Office at CommunityAmerica Ballpark at 913-328-5618.
Box score: http://www.pointstreak.com/baseball/boxscoretext.html?gameid=177760