After back-to-back nights of inclement weather, the sun finally came out at CommunityAmerica Ballpark Wednesday night in Kansas City, Kansas. Unfortunately, the Kansas City T-Bones’ losing streak reached five games in a hard-luck 13-inning loss to the Gary SouthShore RailCats, 3-2.
Calvin Drummond tossed the first quality start this year for the T-Bones and threw three straight scoreless innings to start the ballgame. After walking five during his opening night start, Drummond bounced back by not issuing any free passes on the way to a six-strikeout performance, receiving a no decision.
Gary took the lead in the fourth inning on back-to-back RBI singles from Alex Crosby and Wilfredo Gimenez to make it 2-0. The game stayed that way until the home half of the seventh when the T-Bones tied it.
Chase McDonald hit his first homerun of the year, a solo shot to right, off reliever Laetten Galbraith to cut Gary’s lead to 2-1. Daniel Rockett muscled a double before Galbraith walked both Christian Correa and Eddie Newton, to load the bases. It was back to the top of the line-up with Omar Garcia trying to capitalize on the inning, and he did just that — with a single RBI scoring McDonald and tying the game 2-2.
Kansas City had its best chance to win the game in the bottom of the eighth inning, when it managed to load the bases off Galbraith with one out. Galbraith buckled down and was able to force Christian Correa to hit into a first-to-home double play to end the threat for the T-Bones.
The two teams remained scoreless until the 13th inning when Wilfredo Gimenez hit a single and Kris Goodman came in as a pinch runner. Goodman stole second, Ryan Fitzgerald hit a fly to center field, and rookie Andy De Jesus hit a double to center to bring Goodman home, ultimately getting the winning hit for Gary, 3-2.
Drasen Johnson (1-0) earned the win for Gary SouthShore while Aaron Brooks (0-2) was charged with the loss for Kansas City. Gary’s Ryan Fritze earned his first save of the season.
T-Bones manager Joe Calfapietra realized that his team had opportunities against Gary during the game but never capitalized on them.
“It’s very disappointing right now, but we have to stay positive and keep on going. There’s a lot of season left,” he said.
The T-Bones will travel for the first time this year to start a 10-game road trip, opening a three-game series against the St. Paul Saints, Friday through Sunday. The Saints have a record of 5-2.
All games of the road trip can be heard on the T-Bones Broadcast Network, http://mixlr.com/t-bones-baseball/.
Tickets are available online, by calling 913-328-5618 or by visiting in person the Providence Medical Center Box Office.
– Story from T-Bones