Kansas City took Sioux City 11 innings Sunday afternoon but ultimately fell, 5-4, after a bases loaded infield single at Lewis and Clark Park in Sioux City, Iowa.
With the game tied at 4-4, T-Bones reliever Johnny Shuttlesworth allowed a lead-off double to Tim Colwell in the bottom of the 11th. After Ino Patron sacrificed Colwell to second, Shuttlesworth (3-5) walked the next two batters — one intentionally to load the bases — with one out.
Bryan Johns stepped in and found himself behind in the count before hitting a dribbler back to the mound. Third baseman Jimmy Mojica charged and threw home but the throw brought T-Bones catcher Steve Swingle off the plate, giving the Explorers’ the 5-4 victory.
Kansas City went into the ninth inning trailing the Explorers 4-3. Sioux City closer Connor Overton came in for the ninth one day after taking the loss to the T-Bones.
Brett Wiley and Mojica led off with a walk and a single. With Tyler Massey batting, a wild pitch advanced both runners to second and third. After Massey struck out, Jake Blackwood sent a fly ball to left field that scored Wiley on the sacrifice fly, his sixth RBI of the series, tying the game at 4-4.
The T-Bones threatened in the 10th, putting two runners on against Sioux City reliever Hobbs Johnson. Starlin Rodriguez walked but was tagged out after Vladimir Frias grounded into a fielder’s’ choice. Frias was picked off for the third out. Johnson (1-1) stayed in the for the 11th and allowed one baserunner but also picked him, giving the Explorers a chance in the bottom half of the inning.
Kansas City’s offense came alive in the sixth. Trailing 4-1, with Massey on first after a lead-off walk, Anthony Gallas smashed his 12th home run of the season, pulling the T-Bones to within striking distance at 4-3.
In the eighth the T-Bones threatened but could not capitalize with the bases loaded. Gallas hit a one out double, and was followed by Tyson Gillies, who slapped a single that advanced Gallas to third. Rodriguez stepped in but popped out to Patron who made a nice play by reaching over the T-Bones dugout railing. After Frias loaded the bases by walking, Swingle struck out swinging. The T-Bones stranded 10 runners in the game.
Kansas City (30-42) returns to CommunityAmerica Ballpark for a seven game home stand that starts Monday evening at 7:05 against the Lincoln Saltdogs. Tickets are available by calling the Providence Medical Center Box Office at CommunityAmerica Ballpark at 913-328-5618.
Story from Matt Fulks, T-Bones