Callahan’s Big Day Propels Monarchs to Series Sweep

/in /by

Chicago, IL — After trailing in both games, the Monarchs jumped in front early and went on to win 11-4 to complete the sweep over the Dogs on Sunday afternoon.

It was as quick of a start as you could ask for as the Monarchs took the lead on the second pitch of the game and never looked back. Facing a 0-1 count, Austin Callahan cranked a ball into deep right field to put Kansas City in front. The leadoff hitter set the tone for the day and would go on to have quite the afternoon.

The Monarchs continued the momentum in the second frame when Saul Garza was hit by a pitch and then Grant Richardson belted his second homer in back-to-back games. It’s a welcome sight to see that Richardson is returning to his early season form as KC is getting some much needed production out of their left fielder.

 

This was a 3-0 game going into the fourth inning and the Monarchs quickly put the contest out of reach. Richardson and JD Davis walked and with two outs, Kansas City needed to make something happen. In the top of the order, Callahan lined one into right field to bring home both runners, but the inning did not stop there. Sahid Valenzuela walked and with Callahan on second, that brought up Luken Baker. He read the 0-1 pitch to perfection and nuked a three-run bomb to finish off a five-run frame. It was 8-0 and the Monarchs had total control.

 

Chicago finally broke through in the sixth inning when they had two runners on and then Aaron Altherr grounded a ball on the right side to bring in Jacob Maiben and Ethan Wilder. Shortly after, Giovanni DiGiacomo put a ball down the third base line and scored Altherr, but it was too little too late.

After his last outing on the bump, Austin Krob responded in a big way with a five strikeout performance while giving up three runs in three hits. He held the Dogs scoreless for five-straight innings and other than the sixth frame, he was perfect on the mound. Jeff Hakanson relieved him and tallied two K’s as the bullpen threw five total pitchers this afternoon.

Kansas City tacked on three more runs in the third after Richardson walked, Davis was hit by a pitch, and Brady Lindsly collected a hit. Trevor Boone was hit by a pitch that brought in Richardson and then Callahan reached base via fielder’s choice and Davis crossed home plate. It was yet another RBI for Callahan as he finished the day 2-6 with two runs and four RBI’s. Valenzuela would go on to register his first knock of the afternoon on an RBI single.

The Dogs scored a run in the ninth, but the Monarchs already had a commanding lead. With this series sweep, KC now has a three game lead on Fargo in the West Division. They will have an opportunity to add to that lead when they return back to Legends Field for a six-game home stand starting Tuesday night. The Monarchs will welcome the Lincoln Saltdogs to Kansas City for the first time this season and then face Fargo to finish out the stand. First pitch with Lincoln will be at 6:35.