Monarchs Drop Rubber Game to Milwaukee

By Cal Friedman

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The Kansas City Monarchs came up short in a vital rubber game with the Milwaukee Milkmen. Milwaukee clinched a series victory with a 5-3 win on Sunday afternoon at Legends Field.

Willie Escala grooved a go-ahead automatic double in the eighth to give the Milkmen a crucial victory.

Monarchs starter Duncan Snider conceded two early runs in the first three frames. Milwaukee (42-45) third baseman Jose Sermo recorded a first inning fielder’s choice. Erik Ostberg tripled in a run to make it 2-0 Milkmen.

Kansas City (41-44) went on to tie the game in the bottom of the third. Ross Adolph recorded an RBI groundout to make it 2-1 Milwaukee.

Isiah Gilliam punched a single off the glove of Sermo at third to score Hayden Jones to tie the game.

The teams both traded runs in the middle innings to make it 3-3. Gilliam equalized again with another RBI single in the sixth inning.

Gilliam finished 2-for-4 with the 2 RBI in the loss.

Escala finished 4-for-5 and provided the game-winning hit in the eighth. Escala corked an automatic double plating Abdiel Layer and Kyle Huckstorf to make it 5-3 Milwaukee.

UP NEXT

The Monarchs begin a massive five-game series against the Sioux City Explorers on Monday night from Louis & Clark Park in Iowa. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.