The Kansas City Monarchs (17-12) lost the road series opener to Milwaukee (20-11) Monday night as the Milkmen’s starter David Holmberg (4-2) went for a complete game in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The Monarchs wasted no time getting on the board Monday. In the second inning, Gabby Guerrero doubled to center field. Guerrero advanced to third on a Gillaspie groundout to put Charcer Burks in position to drive in a run for Kansas City. Burks drove in Guerrero on an RBI groundout to put the Monarchs up 1-0.
In the bottom half of the second inning, starting right-handed pitcher Cody Mincey gave up a solo shot to Trey Martin for the Milkmen to tie the game, 1-1.
In the fourth inning, Gillaspie and Burks both singled, keeping the offense going for the Monarchs, putting runners at first and second.
Kansas City could not capitalize though, leaving both runners stranded. In the bottom half of the fourth inning, Mincey gave up a double to Christian Correa, putting Milwaukee in scoring position.
With two outs, Morgan McCullough made a diving grab that saved a possible go-ahead run for the Milkmen.
Despite giving up the early home run, Mincey in five innings gave up only four hits, no walks, and struck out five.
Right-handed pitcher Jose Taveras (0-1) replaced Mincey in the sixth inning. Taveras ran into trouble in the seventh inning, giving up a single to Aaron Hill. Trey Martin of the Milkmen then drove in Hill on an RBI double to give Milwaukee a 2-1 lead.
The Monarchs could not mount a comeback as they dropped this one 2-1 in Milwaukee. It was the Monarchs’ first game against the Milkmen played in Wisconsin, with all previous seven meetings played in KCK and in Kokomo, Indiana.
The Kansas City Monarchs will take on the Milwaukee Milkmen in game two of this four-game road series on Tuesday night. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. in Milwaukee. The game can be heard on the Monarchs Broadcast Network with the pre-game beginning at 6:10 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.
- Story from Jason Nick, Monarchs