The Kansas City T-Bones got off to a great start on Sunday then things turned quickly in favor of Gary SouthShore, which would go on to win the final game of the series 10-5 at U.S. Steel Yard in Gary, Indiana.
In the top of the second Niko Vasquez took Alex Gunn deep off the scoreboard in left to give Kansas City a 1-0 lead.
The good vibes ended in the bottom of the second, when Billy Waltrip could not get out of the inning. The left-hander walked Jose Gonzalez and gave up a single to Ryan Fitzgerald to put runners at first and second.
Cole Fabio followed with a single to load the bases. Waltrip then walked Chase Harris to tie the game at one.
Colin Willis then hit a sacrifice fly to center to give the RailCats the lead at 2-1. Joey Havrilak doubled home two more runs part of a five RBI day for the outfielder.
Cameron Newell then hit a single to center to make it a 5-0 lead for Gary. Waltrip was relieved by Rich Mascheri, who got the final two outs of the second.
In the home half of the third Havrilak and Newell each had an RBI single to make it 7-1 Gary off reliever Gabe Perez. Perez surrendered another three runs only two earned in the fifth on three hits by Gary for a 10-1 lead.
Kansas City fought back with a two-run homer for Nike Vasquez, his second on the game, and a pair of RBI singles from Cedric Hunter, but the T-Bones could not get any closer in the 10-5 final.
The loss dropped both Kansas City and Gary a half-game behind Fargo-Moorhead in the American Association Wild Card race.
The T-Bones’ final road trip moves on to Sioux City Monday for the first of a four-game series against the Sioux City Explorers at 7:05 p.m. The game can be heard on the T-Bones Broadcast Network with the pregame at 6:45 p.m.
In the Wild Card race for a post-season spot, Gary will travel to Sioux Falls for four while Fargo will play host to Lincoln for five games including a double header Monday.
The T-Bones will send out right-handed pitcher Alex Blackford (1-1, 2.25) in the series opener and newly acquired righty Jared Mortensen (8-1, 2.57) on Tuesday in the second game of the series.
Tickets to home games are available online, by calling 913-328-5618 or by visiting in person the Providence Medical Center Box Office.
– Story from T-Bones