The Kansas City T-Bones used two separate, four-run innings, to hold on to a 10-9 win, over Sioux Falls, Thursday night in South Dakota.
Kansas City struck first, with four runs in the third inning off Sioux Falls starting pitcher Tyler Pearson. Pearson walked the bases loaded to start the inning, and Robby Kuzdale put Kansas City on top with a sacrifice fly to score James Boddicker from third for a 1-0 lead.
The big blow came from Ernie Banks Jr, who ripped a two-run single to right, to cap off a four run inning.
The Canaries came right back however, with four runs off T-Bones starting pitcher Kris Regas in the bottom of the third inning. Regas allowed a game-tying grand slam to David Bergin, to tie the game at 4-4 after three innings.
The T-Bones took a brief 5-4 lead in the fifth inning, after Adam Bailey connected on his fifth home run of the season.
The Canaries though, responded, with another four-run inning in the bottom of the fifth inning to take a 8-5 lead. Brian Humphries and Steve Sulcoski each connected on two-run home runs in the inning.
The T-Bones would not be denied, as they tacked on four runs in the sixth inning, to take a 9-8 lead.
The big blow came from rookie shortstop Sergio Leon, who laced a three-run double in the gap to tie the game at 8-8. Leon came around to score on a Jake Blackwood sacrifice fly, to give Kansas City the lead.
Kris Regas (6-3) picked up the win for Kansas City. Regas pitched five innings, and allowed eight runs on nine hits. Tyler Pearson took a no-decision for the Canaries. Pearson allowed eight runs on just four hits, but walked eight over five innings.
The T-Bones bullpen, for the second straight day, was the main attraction however, as they pitched four innings and allowed just one unearned run on the night. Fernando Hernandez picked up his 12th save of the season with a scoreless ninth.
The T-Bones (34-25) continue the three-game series Friday night against Sioux Falls (25-39) with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
The T-Bones return home to CommunityAmerica Ballpark on Aug. 5. Tickets are available by calling the box office at CommunityAmerica Ballpark at 913-328-5618.