The Kansas City T-Bones got an inside-the-park grand slam in the eighth inning but it was too little, too late in a 9-5 loss to Laredo in the 2015 home finale Thursday night in front of 5,143 at CommunityAmerica Ballpark in Kansas City, Kan.
Laredo jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning, against Kansas City starting pitcher Drew Gay (2-5). Kevin Taylor’s two-run home run, his 10th of the season, started the red-hot Laredo offense.
Gay took the loss for Kansas City, as he was charged with six runs (three earned) over four innings, and allowed eight hits. T-Bones reliever Josh Tols, pitched three innings in relief, and allowed two runs on three hits, keeping Kansas City’s hopes alive.
Kansas City, trailing 8-0, scored for the first time in the bottom of the seventh inning. Nate Tenbrink ripped a two-out RBI double that scored Sergio Leon and pulled Kansas City within an 8-1 deficit.
Kansas City rookie outfielder Jacob Hayes got everyone on their feet on Fan Appreciation Night, when he slashed a sinking line-drive into centerfield with the bases loaded. Laredo centerfielder Drew Martinez slid feet first and missed the ball, and Hayes rounded the bases for an inside-the-park grand slam that brought the T-Bones to within 8-5.
Laredo added an insurance run in the ninth inning off T-Bones reliever Mike Nannini, when Denis Phipps launched his 17th home run of the season.
The loss brings Kansas City back to .500, at 48-48, with three road-games left to play.
The T-Bones conclude the 2015 season in Gary, Ind., against the Gary SouthShore RailCats. First pitch on Saturday evening is scheduled for 6:05.
– Story from T-Bones