In the series finale Sunday against Chicago (40-29), the Monarchs (45-22) won 2-1 in a pitcher’s duel.
Starter and right-hander Jake Matthys earned a quality start in his Sunday performance.
Chicago scored its lone run in the second inning. The Dogs started with a trio of singles. With Ryan Haug and Harrison Smith on first and second, Cosimo Cannella singled, driving in Haug to put the Dogs up 1-0.
After giving up his lone run in the second, Matthys found his stride through the rest of his outing, giving him a quality start.
In six innings pitched, he gave up nine hits, one earned run, two walks, and struck out three.
The Dogs’ starter, Shane Barringer, forced the Monarchs offense to struggle throughout his performance. Through his six innings, Kansas City recorded five hits and struck out six times.
In the seventh inning, Kansas City finally got on the board. With runners at first and second, Morgan McCullough hit a triple into right-center field, driving in both runners and giving the Monarchs a 2-1 lead.
McCullough went two-for-four with two RBIs in his performance and now boasts a 12-game hitting streak.
Right-hander Brock Gilliam went two innings for the Monarchs. He gave up no runs, one hit, and struck out one. Right-hander Justin Donatella entered in the ninth for the save opportunity. He struck out two, securing the win for the Monarchs.
With a 2-1 win against the Chicago Dogs, the Monarchs have now won nine in a row.
The Monarchs are now on the road for a three-game series against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, beginning on Monday night. First pitch is set for 7:02 p.m. The game can be heard on the Monarchs Broadcast Network with the pre-game beginning at 6:32 p.m. and the video stream airing on aabaseball.tv.
Tickets to Monarchs games can be purchased by calling 913-328-5618 or by visiting monarchsbaseball.com.
– by Jason Nick