The Kansas City T-Bones won their first series of the season behind a three-run third inning and solid relief pitching to beat the St. Paul Saints 5-2 Sunday night at CHS Field.
Facing Saints ace Mark Hamburger, the T-Bones took the lead in the second with an RBI double from Joe Jackson and a fielder’s choice ground out to second from Daniel Rockett to take an early 2-0 lead.
Kansas City added to their lead in the third when Zach Walters hit a three-run home run to right make the score 5-0.
St. Paul got back-to-back solo homers from Mate Hanson and Brady Shoemaker in the bottom of the third off T-Bones starter Jeff Walters to cut the lead to 5-2.
The Saints loaded the bases in the fifth and chased Walters from the game. Kamakani Usui entered the game and forced Jacob Caldwell to bounce a ball back to Usui who threw home for the force out, and Leo Rojas threw on to first for the double play.
In the home half of the sixth the Saints loaded the bases with one out. Usui again induced a double play by getting Nate Hanson to line to first and Chase McDonald doubled up Breland Almadova to dodge the threat.
Myles Smith and Cody Winiarski each worked a scoreless inning to keep the game 5-2 into the ninth. Grant Sides worked a 1-2-3 ninth for the save. Usui (1-0) got the win for Kansas City with Mark Hamburger (2-1) getting the loss for St. Paul. Kansas City matched a season high 12 strike outs as a pitching staff in the win.
The T-Bone’s 10 game road trip continues Monday night with the start of a four game series against Gary SouthShore. Right-hander Scott Carroll goes for Kansas City against fellow right-hander Tyler Harris. The 7:10 p.m. game tonight in Gary can be heard on the T-Bones Broadcast Network online at tbonesbaseball.com.
Tickets for future games are available online, by calling 913-328-5618 or by visiting in person the Providence Medical Center Box Office.
– Story from T-Bones