by Sophie Darting
The Kansas City T-Bones’ bullpen and a six-run first inning were not enough to defeat one of the hottest teams in the league, the Sioux City Explorers, who extended their winning streak to seven games on their way to beating the T-Bones, 7-6, in game one of a doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon.
Sioux City (16-16) attacked first, jumping on Kansas City starter Henry Owens (0-0) early in the top of the first tinning. After a walk, a stolen base, and an infield single, Jose Sermo of the Explorers roped a single into left field to score Michael Lang to give Sioux City the early lead, 1-0.
The T-Bones (14-15) responded with a big inning of their own, putting up a six-spot. After Danny Mars lined out to start the inning, Kansas City batted around the lineup, and eight straight Kansas City players reached base on their way to scoring six in the bottom of the first.
Dylan Tice walked and stole second, then Daniel Nava ripped a single into right field that scored Tice and tied the ballgame at one run apiece. Another walk, this time by Casey Gillaspie, put runners on first and second with Taylor Sparks batting.
In his 2019 T-Bones debut, Sparks lined a single into left field and Nava scored, but Sparks did not get the RBI credit owing to an error by Sioux City. The T-Bones got another run when Shawn O’Malley singled to score Gillaspie to make it 3-1, T-Bones.
Christian Correa launched his second home run of the season off the first pitch that he saw to deep left field. The three-run shot gave the T-Bones a commanding 6-1 lead after the first inning.
Kansas City did not score again during the contest because of Explorers’ relief pitcher Carlos Sierra (0-0), who threw five scoreless innings in relief, only allowing one hit. Sierra allowed Sioux City to drive in six unanswered runs and silenced the T-Bones’ bats.
The Explorers scored one run in the second inning and three runs in the top of the third, but the real damage came in the top of the seventh inning, off relief pitcher Marc Magliaro (2-2).
Kansas City’s relief pitching had been shutting down the Explorers’ offense all morning after Owens exited the game, with Robert Calvano and Nick Lee each throwing a pair of scoreless innings.
With the T-Bones nursing a one-run lead, Sioux City stunned the T-Bones bullpen in the top of the seventh inning. After a pair of two-out singles off reliever Magliaro, Zawada doubled to center field, and the Explorers took the lead, 7-6.
The T-Bones were unable to answer the two runs that the Explorers drove in during the top of the seventh and dropped the first game of the doubleheader.
T-Bones take second game
by Gabby Albertson
The Kansas City T-Bones took on game two of the doubleheader with the Sioux City Explorers Wednesday, June 19. After a loss in the first game of the day, they were ready to get back on the field to win, and that’s exactly what they did, making the game score 4-3.
Sioux City made it on the board first with a score of 3-0. Nate Samson hit a single, allowing Kyle Wren to run home. Then, Adam Sasser hit a double, letting Jose Sermo run home as well. Then Samson scored on a sacrifice fly by Stankiewicz.
Kansas City attempted to score in the bottom of the third when Ramsey Romano hit a single and then stole second base, but with no hits to back him up, he didn’t make it home.
Then, in the bottom of the fourth, Casey Gillaspie hit a single, but nothing came of it since no other hitter was able to make it to base.
After a few innings, the T-Bones made it 3-3, tying the game in the bottom of the fifth. Romano hit a single, giving Correa an opportunity to score. Then, Danny Mars hit a double, allowing Brett to score. After that, Mars stole third base and then scored on an error by the catcher, Justin Felix.
Breaking the tie was Dylan Tice as he hit a single, letting Brett score in the bottom of the seventh to walk it off.
The T-Bones and the Sioux City Explorers will finish the three-game series on Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. at T-Bones Stadium in Kansas City, Kansas.
Full and half-season 2019 ticket packages as well as mini plans are on sale online or by calling 913-328-5618 or by visiting the Saint Luke’s Box Office between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Group ticket sales are also on sale.
- Story from T-Bones