The T-Bones were able to hold off a ninth-inning rally by the Lincoln Saltdogs, taking an 8-7 victory Monday night at CommunityAmerica Ballpark in Kansas City, Kan.
The T-Bones held a comfortable 8-2 lead entering the ninth inning, before Rene Leveret started the Saltdogs’ rally with a lead-off single. Leveret advanced to second on a wild pitch from reliever Evan DeLuca. Austin Darby followed up with a single to left field, moving Leveret to third.
After DeLuca got Dainer Moreira to fly out and Ryan Wiggins to strike out, back-to-back throwing errors by third baseman Jimmy Mojica on grounders by Robby Kuzdale and Tyler Urps allowed three runs to score, cutting Kansas City’s lead to 8-5. A Brandon Jacobs double was followed by a bloop single by Curt Smith over the head of second baseman Brett Wiley, bringing the go-ahead run to the plate with a runner at first. Mark Haynes (14) relieved DeLuca and walked pinch-hitter Jon Smith before retiring Leveret on a fly ball, ending the game.
After taking an early 2-0 lead in the second, the T-Bones distanced themselves from Lincoln in the fourth by adding six additional runs. Dalton Wheat led off the inning with a walk.
After Vladimir Frias flied out to center, three straight singles from Steve Swingle, Brett Wiley and Jimmy Mojica scored two runs for Kansas City. Jake Blackwood reached base on a fielder’s choice before a throwing error by third baseman Luis Alen allowed Wiley to score. Anthony Gallas followed with a triple, scoring both Blackwood and Mojica. A sacrifice fly by Tyler Massey scored Gallas, giving the T-Bones an 8-0 lead.
Sean Furney made his return to the Kansas City rotation in his first appearance since June 18. Furney, who’d been on the disabled list, gave up one hit and struck out one batter in 2 innings. David Holman (4-4) gave up eight hits and two runs in 4 innings.
Lincoln starting pitcher Jeff McKenzie (5-4) gave up nine hits, eight runs and three walks in 4 innings.
Kansas City (31-42) will continue its series against Lincoln (40-33) at CommunityAmerica Ballpark Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. Tickets are available by calling the Providence Medical Center Box Office at CommunityAmerica Ballpark at 913-328-5618.
– Story from Matt Fulks, T-Bones