The Kansas City Monarchs and Lincoln Saltdogs dodged ominous skies most of Wednesday in Kansas City, Kansas, but the rain finally took over and helped push Lincoln to the win column in a 2-1 rain-shortened game at Legends Field.
For the second night in a row, the Saltdogs took the early lead 1-0 on wild pitch on a dropped third strike in the top of the first. They added another off Monarchs starter Nick Travieso (0-1), making his Kansas City debut in the third inning on an RBI single from Justin Byrd to make it a 2-0 lead.
Travieso settled in and allowed just two earned runs on four hits while striking out five in five innings. Lincoln got another solid effort from its rotation as well with Johnny Barbato (1-0) holding the Monarchs to one run over five innings, surrendering five hits while striking out six.
In the bottom of the fifth, the Monarchs started a comeback effort as the rains began to fall at the ballpark. Colin Willis and and Ryan Grotjohn singled to put runners at first and second. After a fielder’s choice moved the runners up,
Morgan McCullough cut the lead to 2-1 on an RBI-single to right off Barbato. The Lincoln right-hander retired the next two batters on fly balls with the Monarchs leaving the tying run at third.
With the game now official, the skies opened up even more, forcing the two teams into a rain delay that would eventually turn into the 2-1 final. The Monarchs managed to out hit Lincoln in the rainy weather loss.
Manager Joe Calfapietra expressed his satisfaction with the offense, but he was disappointed that they didn’t get a chance to come back to tie.
“We started swinging the bats in the middle innings; we had an opportunity there. Unfortunately, we didn’t get a chance to tie it,” Calfapietra said.
Catcher Morgan McCullough had a great impact, going two-for-two in the game with a double in the third inning and an RBI single in the fifth inning, making it a 2-1 game.
“[McCullough’s] doing a great job for us; when he is given the opportunity, the kid comes in, he swings the bat, and he’s not fearful at all,” Calfapietra said.
Gabby Guerrero, Colin Willis, and Ryan Grotjohn added to the offense, each getting one hit.
The Monarchs will close out the three-game home series against Lincoln Saltdogs at 7 p.m. Thursday. The Monarchs have yet to name a starter for the game after Akeem Bostick the scheduled starter had his contract transferred to the New York Mets organization. The Saltdogs will send RHP John Richy to the mound in the series finale.
The game can be heard on the Monarchs Broadcast Network with the pre-game beginning at 6:35 p.m. and the video stream will air aabaseball.tv. The game can also be heard locally on 1510 ESPN Kansas City.
Tickets to all Monarchs games can be purchased by calling 913-328-5618 or by visiting monarchsbaseball.com.
- From Dan Vaughan, Kansas City Monarchs