Kansas City (30-18) defeated Sioux City (28-21) 10-7 in an offensive battle to complete the series sweep.
The Monarchs offense got off to a great start, scoring runs early in the game.
In the first inning, after a walk by Ryan Grotjohn and a double from Jan Hernandez, Gabby Guerrero hit an awkward grounder right in front of the plate to drive in a run after Grotjohn got a good jump towards home to put Kansas City up 1-0. Hernandez finished four-for-five with two RBIs. Colin Willis singled directly after, driving in Hernandez to make it 2-0 for the Monarchs.
Kansas City continued their success at bat in the second inning. After back-to-back walks from Will Kengor and Morgan McCullough, a wild pitch would advance them to second and third, putting the Monarchs in scoring position. Darnell Sweeney came to the plate and hit a single, driving in both runners to add to the Monarchs lead, making it 4-0.
On to the third inning and Kansas City did not let up as it started the inning with back-to-back singles from Willis and Nick Franklin.
An error by the Explorers on Franklin’s single put runners at second and third. Kengor then walked to load the bases for the Monarchs.
McCullough then singled, driving in Willis. With bases loaded again, Grotjohn walked, adding another run for the Monarchs. Hernandez then singled, driving in both Kengor and McCullough to put Kansas City up 8-0.
In the fourth inning, Sioux City got on the board, putting up two runs to make it an 8-2 game.
Right-hander Ryan Newell, who got the start for the Monarchs, went three and two-thirds innings pitched, giving up three hits, two earned runs, and three walks while striking out four.
In the fifth inning, with bases loaded for the Explorers, a sacrifice fly by Chase Harris drove in a run for Sioux City, cutting into the Monarchs lead for a 8-3 contest. The Explorers did not stop there as they scored four runs in the fifth, making it a 8-7 game.
The Monarchs got things going again in the sixth after a few quiet innings. Willis walked to start off the inning, followed by a Kengor single. McCullough continued his stellar performance, hitting a double to drive in Willis. McCullough finished three-for-four with two RBIs and a walk. Kengor scored on a wild pitch from the Explorers to put the Monarchs up 10-7.
Left-hander Carlos Diaz entered the game in the ninth inning to complete the save and secure the win for the Monarchs, with the final score10-7. Kansas City has now won five in a row.
The Monarchs will have the day off on Monday before continuing a six-game homestand, starting with a three-game series against the Houston Apollos on Tuesday at Legends Field in Kansas City, Kansas. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. with the gates opening at 5 p.m. The game can be heard on the Monarchs Broadcast Network with the pre-game beginning at 6:35 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 by Jason Nick, Monarchs