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Canaries Slow Down Monarchs, Force Game 3

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Kansas City, KS — It was a rough night offensively as the Monarchs took an early lead in the first, but were unable to drive in more runs as they fell 3-1 to Sioux Falls on Friday night.

On the first Monarch batter of the game, Tyler Gentry slammed a solo shot to left center. It was his third blast of the series and he said, “I’m getting good pitches to hit and putting good swings on it. Sometimes I try to do too much with it and you get disconnected. I just have to keep it simple, stay compact, and good things will happen.”

The Canaries found the tying run in the third frame as Joe Vos collected a base hit and stole a base to put himself in scoring position. With two down, Michael Curialle ripped an RBI double into left center to bring home Vos and tie up the game.

Jimmy Endersby made his first career playoff start and was an absolute machine on the bump. The former Triple-A product dealt in season-tying 10 punch outs in five innings of work. Emmanuel Chapman, Ryan Anderson, Buddy Reed, and Wyatt Wendell all appeared out of the pen and threw a combined six K’s

Sioux Falls found the leading run in the sixth frame as Grady Mee walked, swiped two bags, and Trevor Achenbach sent him home on a knock into left field.

They followed it up with the third and final run of the night when Mike Hart led off the seventh frame with a base-hit. He eventually got to third on a passed ball and stole a base. This allowed Curialle to put one in play which brought in Hart.

Other than Gentry, Austin Callahan and Hudson Head were the only two Monarchs to grab a hit tonight. It was an extremely uncharacteristic night from this group offensively and now will be forced into the final game of the series tomorrow night. They left six runners on base and couldn’t produce timely hits. It’s winner take all with a 6:35 first pitch at Legends Field on Saturday night.

Monarchs Rally a Seven-Run Ninth Frame, Outlast Canaries in Game 1 of Division Series

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Sioux Falls, SD — It was a back-and-forth opening game of the West Division Series, and after facing a deficit in the ninth, the Monarchs rallied with seven tallies to claim a 12-6 victory over the Canaries on Wednesday night.

The Monarchs did not waste much time finding an early lead. In the first inning, Tyler Gentry led off with a walk while Austin Callahan reached base via error. They both stole a base and then Luken Baker walked to load the bases. Saul Garza grounded into a double play, but Gentry raced home to jump in front.

Although they had an early deficit, this did not phase Sioux Falls as they were able to muscle in a run of their own. Mike Hart and Michael Curialle both walked while Anthony Hall lined a ball into center field to bring home Hart for the tying run.

This was a 1-1 ballgame, but Kansas City retook the lead in the third. With one out, Gentry crushed the first pitch of the at-bat and the Monarchs were back in front. The inning did not stop there when Callahan singled and Baker drew his second walk. This allowed Garza to tap a base hit to left field and jump into a 3-1 advantage.

It was the exact start that KC was looking for on the mound as Geison Urbaez answered the call in his first playoff start. The former Blue Jays prospect dealt in a season-high nine punch outs while only allowing two hits and a run. There were four more pitchers out of the bullpen as Emmanuel Chapman, Tyler Myrick, Jack Walker, and Durbin Feltman combined for six strikeouts.

Kansas City added to the two-run lead by plating two more tallies in the top of the seventh. Gentry reached base and Callahan singled to put two runners on. Facing a 1-2 hole, Baker floated an RBI double to left center to bring in both runners and the Monarchs had their largest lead at that point with a 5-1 advantage.

Unfortunately, this four-run lead did not last very long as the Canaries came storming back in the bottom of the seventh. Chapman had a tough time dealing in strikes as he walked Anthony Hall, Chase Englehard, and Grady Mee to juice the bases. Trevor Achenbach reached base via fielders choice on a grounder to short and brought home Hall with one out. Later in the frame, Joe Vos walked and Mike Hart sliced a grand slam the opposite way to give Sioux Falls their first and only lead of the night.

With their backs up against the wall, the Monarchs showed no fear heading into the ninth inning. They remained poise at the dish when Callahan walked and Baker singled to quickly put the tying run in scoring position. It was Garza and Richardson who walked to tie the game at six apiece. The bases were loaded once again and there were no outs. This was a prime position for KC to drive in more than one run and they did exactly that. Onix Vega ripped his only hit of the night into left field and Baker scored to retake the lead at 7-6. The very next batter, Sahid Valenzuela, placed a ball into left center for a two-run RBI double and the frame did not stop there. In the top of the order, Gentry read the 1-0 pitch to perfection and smoked his second blast of the night on a three-run shot to right center and put this game out of reach. This group silenced the hopes of Sioux Falls who were looking to pull the upset.

The Monarchs showed their resilience and did not panic under pressure while rallying in the biggest inning of the game. It was a much needed win as they now have an opportunity to close out the series on Friday night at Legends Field. First pitch is at 6:35.

Monarchs Cap Regular Season With Victory Over Goldeyes, Lock Up Overall No. 1 Seed

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Kansas City, KS — Just as they did yesterday, the Monarchs surrendered an early run and then drove in five-straight to claim a 5-1 win over Winnipeg on Labor day.

The Goldeyes got off to a hot start in the top of the first as Ramon Bramasco walked while Ray-Patrick Didder collected a base-knock. This brought in Max Murphy who placed a ball into right field to bring in Bramasco for the opening tally.

KC immediately responded in the bottom of the frame when Austin Callahan flared a ball into right center with one out. Luken Baker walked and Grant Richardson slapped an RBI double the opposite way to bring home Callahan.

In the third frame, the Monarchs took their first lead when Gentry got on base, Callahan singled, and Baker walked to load the bases. Saul Garza was hit by a pitch and that brought in Gentry. Later in the inning, Sahid Valenzuela got knocked by a pitch and Baker walked home for the third run. It was 3-1 advantage.

Thaddeus Ward made his third start on the mound for Kansas City and registered his best outing as a Monarch. He went six innings allowing just one run and dealt five K’s. That was much needed for his momentum heading into the playoffs. The two closers, Tyler Myrick and Durbin Feltman pitched the last two frames while each tallying two punch outs.

Contrary to the first two games of the series, this was a defensive outing from both sides. There were four scoreless frames before the Monarchs tacked on two more runs in the eighth frame. With two outs, Callahan doubled which was followed by RBI doubles from Baker and Garza to jump into a comfortable four-run advantage. Feltman closed out the game to seal their 59th win this season.

Although Kansas City plated five runs, they left multiple numbers on base. There were 40 runners stranded including 13 today and heading into the playoffs, that number will hopefully shrink. The Monarchs have now won four of five and have the all the momentum to grab a win on Wednesday night. With this win and a Milwaukee loss, this group clinched the overall number one seed and the best record in the league (59-41) which means that the Miles Wolff Cup Playoffs run through Kansas City.

KC will rest tonight and get ready for a five hour bus ride up to Sioux Falls tomorrow morning. First pitch for Game 1 of the playoffs with the Canaries is scheduled for 6:35 at The Birdcage. You can tune in on aabaseball.tv

Kansas City Set to Collide With Sioux Falls in Opening Round of Playoffs

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Kansas City, KS — After a division title winning season, the Kansas City Monarchs will battle the Sioux Falls Canaries in the first round of the Miles Wolff Cup Playoffs on Wednesday night at the Birdcage in Sioux Falls, SD. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35p.

It has been a tremendous season for Kansas City, but the real work starts now. They’re seeking their fifth league championship and the first since 2023. Manager Joe Calfapietra says, “The players are excited and we hope the Kansas City community continues their support of the Monarchs. The team looks forward to making a run to get the ball club back to the championship”

This comes as no surprise that the Monarchs chose Sioux Falls. Kansas City went 11-1 against the Canaries this season and outscored them 100-37. They have completed dominated Sioux Falls this season, but all that is in the rearview mirror as KC will need to bring their A game come Wednesday night. Joe says, “We look forward to a great series with Sioux Falls.”

This is just the second time that the Monarchs have faced Canaries in their playoff history. They swept them in the quarterfinals in 2023 and will look to do so once again.

Kansas City is scheduled to host game two of the quarterfinals at Legends Field with a 6:35p first pitch on Friday night. “We’re grateful to our fans for their support all season long,” Calfapietra said. The Monarchs faithful will need to show support on Friday with Saturday’s game TBD.

Playoff tickets are on sale now at monarchsbaseball.com. Tickets are $15 for any seat in the Plaza level. PostSeason Pass packages are also available for purchase.

Kansas City Plates Seven Unanswered, Powers Past Goldeyes

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Kansas City, KS — After giving up three early runs, the Monarchs shut down the Goldeyes the rest of the way and cruised to a 7-3 victory.

Winnipeg got started right from the get-go. In the first inning, Roby Enriquez and Adam Hall each tallied a hit while Ray-Patrick Didder drove in Enriquez on an RBI double. This was followed by RBI knocks from Noah Marcelo and Keshawn Lynch to jump into an early 3-0 advantage, but that would be last time they would cross home plate.

In the bottom of the first, KC grabbed a quick tally to cut into the deficit. Tyler Gentry walked and Austin Callahan tagged a ball into center to put runners at the corners. Gentry scored on an RBI double play groundout from Luken Baker.

Michael Mariot made his ninth start on the bump and after the first inning, he really settled in. He went six up six down in the next two frames and didn’t allow a run the rest of the way. Mariot finished the day with four punch outs while surrendering three runs and seven hits. Jack Walker and Emmanuel Chapman were impressive in the reliever role as they each tallied three K’s.

In the bottom of the third, with two swings of the bat, the game was tied. Austin Callahan cranked a solo homer to right field and Baker amassed his 27th blast this season with a moon shot into left.

There were two more scoreless innings, but then Kansas City made their move in the bottom of the sixth. Grant Richardson was hit by a pitch and then swiped a bag. With two down, Sahid Valenzuela roped a ball into right field to bring home Richardson for the first KC lead of the day. Valenzuela has now recorded a seven-game hitting streak and says, “I’m just trying to get good at bats for the team, good team quality at bats, (and) pass the baton to the next guy. Trying to get good pitches to do something with and to do damage, but just work the counts.”

After Valenzuela brought home Richardson, the frame was far from over as Hudson Head sliced a ball the opposite way which left the yard for his 14th homer this season. The Monarchs have slapped 44 hits the past three games and Head said, “We are extremely dangerous, we have seen days where (we have) 60 runs in three games earlier in the year. We have the talent, it’s just a matter of execution.” Jose Torres got home on a wild pitch for the seventh and final run of the day.

KC shut out this Goldeye group and produced their best defensive output this season. Both teams will play one final regular season game of the year with a 1:05 first pitch on Labor day.

Goldeyes Outlast Monarchs in Extras

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Kansas City, KS — Two heavyweights went toe-to-toe on Saturday night, but Kansas City fell 11-9 to Winnipeg in 10 innings in a back-and-forth game.

The Monarchs found a way to jump in front in the first when Luken Baker and Grant Richardson both reached base with two outs and then Saul Garza flared an opposite field three-run homer to take an early 3-0 advnatage.

There were three scoreless frames, but the Goldeyes orchestrated a response in the fourth. Adam Hall and Ray-Patrick Didder both walked which allowed Keshawn Lynch to deliver a three-run blast to left field and tied up the game.

The Goldeyes continued to add runs as Roby Enriquez hit a solo jack in the 5th followed by two more runs in the sixth. Lynch got all the way to third and scored via balk. Peyton Holt drove in Max Murphy on a sac fly to right and Winnipeg captured a 6-3 lead.

That did not phase the Monarchs as they came storming back in the bottom of sixth. Hudson Head walked and Tyler Gentry doubled to put two in scoring position. The next batter, Austin Callahan, smacked a ball into right field and Head scored while Gentry crossed home plate via error from Murphy.

Both teams were trading punches as Winnipeg answered with a run in the seventh on an RBI double from Didder to bring home Ramon Bramasco. Kansas City found a lone tally in the eighth as Callahan drove in Head on a sac fly to cut it back to 7-6.

It came down to the ninth inning and the Goldeyes muscled an RBI from Noah Marcelo who brought home Bramasco while Murphy drove in Hall. It was 9-6 and it became due or die for KC.

This team never gave up and in fact, tied the game. Sahid Valenzuela and Jose Torres each collected a knock while Head put a sacrifice fly to score Valenzuela. It was Onix Vega’s turn to make something happen and he did just that. He already had a multi-hit night, he read the perfect pitch and delivered a moon shot to left field to force the contest into extras.

Unfortunately, the Goldeyes plated two runs in the top of the tenth as Holt scored on a groundout RBI while Bramasco delivered an opposite field homer and KC could not rally in the bottom of the frame.

These two teams will battle it out for a Sunday afternoon matinee with the series split at one apiece. It is scheduled for a 1:05 first pitch.

Monarchs Drive In 16 Runs to Claim West Division Title

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Kansas City, KS — In a high scoring affair, it was all business for the Monarchs as they went on to win 16-11 over Winnipeg and earn their fourth division title.

Saul Garza talked about the feeling of being West Division champs and said, “It feels great for all the guys, for Joe (Calfapietra), and the coaching staff. Joe set goals for us this year and this is one that we get to check off, it feels great to do it here at home in front of the fans. Just great all around team win.”

The Monarchs grabbed the lead in a hurry in the first frame as Tyler Gentry opened up the scoring with a solo shot to jump in front. Austin Callahan walked and then Luken Baker doubled to allow Richardson to drive in the first run on an RBI single. Sahid Valenzuela and Jose Torres drove in the next three runs off base hits and just like that, it became a 5-0 advantage.

It did not stop there as Baker led off the second inning with his second consecutive double. After Saul Garza collected a base hit, Valenzuela drove in his second RBI while Hudson Head brought home Garza.

This was a 7-0 game and just when you think the Monarchs would slow down, they did the opposite. KC put up another five-run frame in the third and after Callahan walked, Baker tallied his third-straight knock while Richardson brought home Callahan on a line drive into right center. Shortly after, the bases were loaded and then Head cracked a ball the opposite way that went over the left field fence to grab his first grand slam in a Monarchs uniform. In three innings, Kansas City was up a dozen.

It was the 16th start out of Jimmy Endersby tonight. He went five innings and threw six punchouts while allowing five runs. It was a solid night from the Anaheim, CA native, but he had a lot of help from his offense.

Winnipeg crossed home plate in the top of the fourth, but the Monarchs had more left in store. Baker belted his 26th homer with a two-run jack to center. It was 14-1

This game seemed like it was over as Kansas City had all the momentum. Winnipeg found some life in the fifth inning as the bases were juiced with no outs. Ray-Patrick Didder drilled a grand slam into left to give the Goldeyes some life.

The runs did not stop as the Goldeyes grabbed a run in the seventh and then and then Winnipeg continued to chip away in the eighth. Kevin Garcia singled while Ramon Bramasco walked and then Adam Hall collected a base hit. That brought up Didder who once again, rocketed his second-straight grand slam and this became a four-run game.

KC added two insurance runs in the eighth as Jose Torres got home on a passed ball and Gentry hit his second homer of the night for the 16th and final run.

There was a lot to celebrate tonight, but the Monarchs know there is still much more to play for. They claimed the division, wrapped up the number one spot, and will await to see who their first round opponent is. As it stands, it will either be Sioux Falls or Sioux City.

First pitch with the Goldeyes is at 6:35 tomorrow night.

Hudson Head the Difference, Kansas City Snatches Narrow Win Over Sioux City

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Kansas City, KS — A back-and-forth night at Legends Field, but the Monarchs found a way to grab a 5-4 win capped off by a Hudson Head homer in the eighth.

Just as they did yesterday, the Monarchs took an early lead, but this time it was in the second frame. Sahid Valenzuela led off with a double and then Hudson Head slapped a ball the opposite way to bring home Valenzuela.

Sioux City was scoreless in four-straight frames, but found a tally in the fifth. Alberto Osuna started the frame with a base hit, got all the way to third, and then was brought home on a sac-fly from Jackson Van De Brake.

Geison Urbaez made his 10th start on the bump and the former Blue Jays prospect went 6.2 innings with with five K’s and four runs given up. Emmanuel Chapman threw three punch outs while Tyler Myrick earned his eighth save on the mound.

In the bottom of the fifth, KC had an immediate response where Tyler Gentry singled with one out while Austin Callahan collected a base hit. This brought in Luken Baker who was right on cue with his 25th homer this season as he belted a three-run shot to left and KC retook the lead. This rally was started by Gentry who is currently on an incredible 19-game hitting streak. The former Tigers prospect said, “(I’m) just staying connected at contact, something I have been struggling with the last couple years. I have finally found a good drill and a good feel for it. When i’m doing that and keeping things simple, it usually goes well.”

Three of the four runs that Urbaez gave up came in the seventh frame as the Explorers would not go away. Yorman Rodriguez started the inning off with a double and with two down, Van De Brake sent him home on a liner up the middle. The lead was cut down to a pair of runs and then Zac Vooletich cranked a two-run homer to tie up the game. The momentum shifted and the Monarchs needed to regroup.

In the eighth inning, it was quiet and the Monarchs needed some life. With one down and facing an 0-2 count, Head slapped a ball 377 feet back into left field and that proved to be the difference as Kansas City went on to close out the game in the ninth.

With a Winnipeg loss, the Monarchs stand three games ahead of the Goldeyes and will start a four-game series with them tomorrow night. It’s the biggest series of the season with a 6:35 first pitch on Friday.

Explorers Crank Four Homers, Monarchs Drop Series

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Kansas City, KS — It was a game where Kansas City got out to an early lead, but Sioux City put up eight unanswered and went on to win 11-2 which claimed the series on Wednesday night.

The Monarchs wasted no time taking the lead as Luken Baker smoked his 24th blast of the season to jump in front.

Sioux City answered with a quick response in the second as D’Shawn Knowles walked and Alberto Osuna belted a two-run homer to jump into a 2-1 lead. They followed it up in the third as Knowles roped a ball the opposite way which left the yard.

The fifth inning became the decider as Sioux City put the Monarchs in a tough spot. Zac Vooletich led off with a double and eventually scored on a wild pitch. Braulio Vasquez walked, Knowles and Osuna both grabbed a base hit to load the bases. This brought in Wilfredo Gimenez who cracked a grand slam into left field and this became an 8-1 advantage which KC was not able to come back from.

Thaddeus Ward made his Legends Field debut and went four innings while allowing four hits, but shoved in three K’s. Kansas City went through four pitchers in total with Ryan Anderson, Nate Webb, and Jeff Hakanson coming out of the bullpen. Ward mentioned, “I’m feeling good on the mound, i’m fresh into it and its a lot different from where I am coming from down in Mexico.”

After being down seven runs, Grant Richardson sliced a solo smash in the sixth inning to cut the lead down to six.

Sioux City was not done yet as Osuna got home on a sac fly from Austin Davis in the seventh while Knowles hit his second jack of the night in the eighth frame to close out the night.

It was a tough night on both sides of the ball, but the Monarchs will have to find a way to get back in the win column as Winnipeg stands just two games back of first place. Sioux City and Kansas City will go toe-to-toe for one final time in the regular season with a 6:35 first pitch on Thursday night.

Monarchs Fight Until the End, but Fall Short in Extras

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Kansas City, KS — It was a game where the Monarchs didn’t go away so easily, but fell 6-5 to the Sioux City Explorers in extra innings on Tuesday night.

The Explorers wasted no time jumping in front where on the third pitch of the game, Jackson Van De Brake smoked a solo homer into left field. Two batters later, Henry George followed it up with an opposite field shot to double the lead. It was a 2-0 advantage in the blink of an eye.

After facing a quick deficit, the Monarchs responded in the bottom of the third as Tyler Gentry singled and then was eventually brought home on a Luken Baker sac fly.

Michael Mariot made his ninth start out of the bullpen and shoved in three punch outs while surrendering six hits and three runs. There were four more pitchers out of the bullpen as Emmanuel Chapman and Michael Reed each threw a pair of K’s.

Sioux City wasted no time reestablishing a two-run lead as Braulio Vasquez cracked the third homer of the night and it became a 3-1 game.

This game started to really pick up in the eighth inning as the Explorers added a fourth run. Austin Davis walked, stole two bases, and then was brought home on a sac fly from Zac Vooletich.

KC needed some life offensively and they got just that in the bottom of the frame. Gentry led off with a single, Austin Callahan reached base while Baker sent a hard grounder to bring in Gentry. It was a 4-2 game and the bases were loaded with no outs. Unfortunately, thats all the Monarchs would score in the inning as they came up empty.

They quickly erased that feeling when they tied up the game in the ninth. Hudson Head walked, Gentry ripped a double into left field, and Callahan hit a ground ball the opposite way to tie up the game for the first time since the start of the first. This was a 4-4 ballgame headed into extras.

In the top of the 10th, Davis reached base via fielders choice while the lead runner was thrown out at second. KC was in a good spot, but Davis got all the way to third after two-straight walks. With two down, Braulio Vasquez sliced a double into left center to bring home Davis and Van De Brake.

The Monarchs gave one last effort in the bottom of the tenth as Jose Torres brought home Grant Richardson on an RBI single. Torres talked about the at bat and said, “Previously the first two batters, he was heavy on the heater. I was just trying to get a heater and stay through it and hopefully something good will happen.” Unfortunately the Monarchs were unable to bring home Torres and they fell just short.

KC has a 3.5 game lead of Winnipeg and will look to even the series with Sioux City tomorrow. First pitch is at 6:35 at Legends Field