The Kansas City T-Bones’ pitching struggles continued Monday night, as the team fell, 10-5, to the Gary SouthShore RailCats at CommunityAmerica Ballpark, Kansas City, Kan.
One night after the RailCats scored seven runs in the first three innings against Kansas City starter Mike Nannini, Gary used timely hitting to jump on the T-Bones with six runs in the first four innings Monday.
The RailCats took a 2-0 lead in the second inning against Kansas City starter Blake Holovach. After a walk to Tillman Pugh and a single by Michael Schroeder beginning the second, Jose Sermo grounded out to Ryan Cavan, scoring Pugh from third base. Two batters later, J.D. Pulfer hit an RBI single to shallow left field that scored Schroeder.
The RailCats added four more runs in the fourth inning behind an RBI single by Pulfer, scoring Sermo and giving Gary a 3-0 lead. Two batters later, with Pulfer and Ryan Brockett already on base, Jon Jones hit a home run to right field, giving the RailCats a 6-0 lead. The home run gives Gary seven home runs as a team this season.
Things were going so well for Gary that it took a 9-0 lead in the top of the sixth against T-Bones reliever Derek Loera by getting the first six batters on base with a walk and five singles.
However, Kansas City’s defense limited the damage, as right fielder Jacob Hayes threw out Adam Taylor at home on a base hit by Jaime Del Valle. Two batters later, Del Valle was thrown out at third base by left fielder Adam Bailey on a base hit by Schroeder.
Trailing 9-0, Kansas City got on the board in the bottom of the sixth with a lead-off home run by Jake Blackwood, his seventh of the season and 99th of his career.
Even though the T-Bones were facing a 10-1 deficit, they came alive in the eighth inning behind an RBI single from Vladimir Frias that scored Bailey from third base.
Two batters later, James Boddicker hit an RBI single that scored Robby Kuzdale, who reached base on a single. Then, with the bases loaded, Gary SouthShore reliever Dan Ludwig hit Cavan, making the score 10-4. Nate Tenbrink cut the lead to 10-5 with a sacrifice fly to right that scored Boddicker.
Holovach (5-1) recorded his first loss of the season after pitching 4 innings and giving up seven hits, six earned runs and three walks. Loera, who came in the fifth inning, also struggled as he pitched 2 innings, giving up three earned runs on seven hits.
The T-Bones (29-22) will continue their four-game series against the RailCats (27-28) Tuesday night at CommunityAmerica Ballpark with the first pitch at 7:05. Tickets are available by calling the box office at CommunityAmerica Ballpark at 913-328-5618.