After a 20-minute rain delay, Texas got 18 hits in a 9-3 win over Kansas City on Saturday night in front of 5,006 at CommunityAmerica Ballpark in Kansas City, Kan.
T-Bones starting pitcher Johnny Shuttlesworth (0-1) had a rough debut for Kansas City, going only 3 2/3 innings and giving up seven hits and five runs. After Shuttlesworth sat the AirHogs down in order in the first inning, Texas took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Devon Rodriguez scored on a Brian Bistagne single.
The AirHogs added all the runs they’d need in the fourth inning. With two outs and the bases loaded, Kenny Peoples-Wall roped a ball to centerfield for a bases-clearing triple off Shuttlesworth. T-Bones newcomer David Holman came in with runners on first and second, and, after allowing one run to score, he induced a groundout for the third out, holding Texas to a 5-0 lead.
Kansas City got on the board in the fourth inning, when Jake Blackwood led off the inning with a double, went to third on a fly out by Anthony Gallas and then scored on a groundout by Cole Leonida off Texas starter Ethan Carnes (1-0).
Texas added four more runs in the final three innings before the T-Bones attempted to rally in the bottom of the ninth. With Gallas on first, Steve Swingle stepped in and doubled, putting runners on second and third. Brandon Tierney then knocked in Gallas and Swingle, for the final runs of the game.
The T-Bones (2-1) and AirHogs (1-2) are scheduled to conclude their four-game series at 1:05 Sunday afternoon. Tickets are available by calling the Providence Medical Center Box Office at CommunityAmerica Ballpark at 913-328-5618.
– Story from Matt Fulks, T-Bones