KC OFFENSE MISSES TRAIN

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The Kansas City Monarchs (27-15) could not generate enough offense against the Cleburne Railroaders (13-29) Wednesday night, losing 12-9. The Railroaders started off hot and rolled the Monarchs with their early offense and timely pitching.

In the top of the first, Monarchs’ starter Akeem Bostick recorded two strikeouts before surrendering a solo home run to Zach Nehrir. Nehrir’s home run provided the Railroaders with an early 1-0 lead. In the home half of the first, the Monarchs answered quickly and gained their only lead of the night. Darnell Sweeney’s patience at the plate earned him a walk against the Association’s leader in walks, Garrett Alexander. Kevin Santa singled to set up runners at first and second with no outs for Jan Hernandez. Hernandez managed a fly out to right field to aid the baserunners in tagging up. Santa and Sweeney both advanced after an error from Hill Alexander. All-Star, Matt Adams, stepped up to the plate and smashed a double to the wall in deep center to bring home two runs. The Monarchs went quietly the rest of the frame and led 2-1 after one inning played.

The game began to go off the rails for the Monarchs in the second inning, as Bostick loaded the bases with only one out, following a walk, and two singles allowed. Nick Shumpert, who was batting ninth for Cleburne on the night, stepped up to the plate and blasted a grand slam over the bullpen in left center to take the lead back at 6-2. The Railroaders never looked back and did not trail after the second inning. In the bottom of the second, the Monarchs offense cooled quickly and were not able to respond, being retired in quick, one, two, three fashion by Garrett Alexander.

In the third inning, Bostick picked up two more strikeouts with the bases loaded but surrendered another run by walking in Hill Alexander. The Monarchs were again retired in order, striking out three times in the third inning. The Railroaders led 6-2 after three innings played. In the fourth, Cleburne forced a Kansas City call to the bullpen. Following two, two-out singles from Chase Simpson and Hill Alexander, Kacy Clemens smashed a three-run home run. With Cleburne’s lead pushed to 9-2, Brock Gilliam replaced Akeem Bostick, his first appearance pitching for the Monarchs at home since May 30th after a short time on the injured list.

The Monarchs and Railroaders remained scoreless in the fifth inning before both putting runs on the board in the sixth. With two outs, the Railroaders generated some more offense following an error from the Monarchs’ third basemen, Chad De La Guerra, and a single from Kacy Clemens to set up Jacob Bockelie for an RBI double. With two more runs, the Railroaders extended their commanding lead to 11-2. The Monarchs chiseled away at the deficit with a two-out, solo blast to left field from Matt Adams in the bottom of the sixth.

In the top of the seventh, brand new signee Cam Hill, former Cleveland Guardian, took the mound for the Monarchs. In his one inning of work, he allowed one earned run and two hits for the Railroaders. The Monarchs trailed 12-3 heading into the bottom of the seventh. Kansas City again cut into the lead with a one out single from De La Guerra that set up J.C. Escarra for a two run blast to right field. Darnell Sweeney kept the Monarchs bats hot for a moment with a deep, ground rule double to right center. Sweeney’s double brought Garrett Alexander’s time on the mound to a close. Kevin Santa brought Sweeney home with a single off of fresh from the bullpen, Brendan Bell, before the inning came to a close to leave the Monarchs trailing 12-6.

Brandon Koch replaced Cam Hill in the top of the eighth and retired three of the four batters he faced to hold the Railroaders scoreless. In the bottom of the eighth, the Monarchs continued on the comeback train with a two-out, RBI single from Pete Kozma to drive in Matt Adams. The Monarchs threatened to score more with a blooping single to shallow left field from De La Guerra. J.C. Escarra drove a deep fly ball to the right field warning track that was caught by Hill Alexander to retire the side and dash the hopes of an eighth inning comeback.

In the final frame, Frank Rubio replaced Brandon Koch on the mound. Rubio retired the first two batters he faced before surrendering back to back singles. Rubio settled back into his early inning groove and struck out the final batter he faced in the inning, Chase Simpson. Kansas City faced a large deficit in the final inning for the second time in two nights.

Cleburne relied upon Kevin McCarthy, who entered with one out remaining in the eighth, to slam the door on the Monarchs’ comeback hopes. McCarthy retired Darnell Sweeney with a lineout to first before surrendering a single to Kevin Santa. Santa reached second via a wild pitch before Casey Gillaspie, who replaced Jan Hernandez in the seventh, smashed a towering shot to right field to cut the lead to 12-9. Matt Adams reached first against the shift with a single to put the tying run on deck. Gaby Guerrero popped out to second base to leave the Monarchs’ faithful at home and at Legends field on the edge of their seats. Willie Abreu stepped up to the plate with a chance to keep the Monarchs’ magic alive with two outs. On the second pitch of the at-bat, Abreu hit an infield chopper to McCarthy for a close call at first that resulted in the Monarchs’ final out.

The final game of the four-game series against the Cleburne Railroaders is tomorrow (6/30) at 7 p.m. at Legends Field. The game can be heard on the Monarchs Broadcast Network with the pre-game beginning at 6:30 p.m. and the video stream airing on aabaseball.tv.

Tickets to all Monarchs games can be purchased by calling 913-328-5618 or by visiting monarchsbaseball.com. For additional information or interview requests, members of the media may contact the Monarchs Media Relations Department at (817) 739-3693. Stay tuned to monarchsbaseball.com. and the Monarchs Facebook and Twitter pages for updates throughout the season.

WP: Garret Alexander (2-5)

LP: Akeem Bostick (3-4)

S: N/A

Boxscore

MONARCHS DERAILED AT HOME

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The Kansas City Monarchs (27-14) lost an extra-inning heartbreaker against the Cleburne Railroaders (12-29) 8-4 Tuesday night at Legends Field.

Darnell Sweeney had a big day for the Monarchs offense. He finished his night 3-5 with two RBIs and a run. Kevin Santa also had a productive night from the plate, batting 2-5 with an RBI. The two hitters combined for five of the Monarchs seven hits.

The Railroaders got on the scoreboard in the third inning. After Hunter Wolfe and Chuck Taylor walked, Zach Nehrir hit an RBI single to give Cleburne a 1-0 lead. Chase Simpson followed this up with a two-RBI single to center field to extend their lead 3-0.

The Monarchs responded in their bottom half of the inning. Willie Abreu led off with a solo home run to right field. A few batters later, Darnell Sweeney belted a two-out bomb to home run hill and the Monarchs trailed by just one run.

Cleburne extended their lead in the fifth as Nehrir drove in his second run of the night with a double to left-center. Kansas City trailed by one entering the bottom of the fifth inning.

With two outs, Pete Kozma and Alexis Olmeda worked back-to-back walks. Sweeney stepped up to the plate and roped an RBI single to right field to bring in Kozma. Kevin Santa followed this up with an RBI double to left-center to score Olmeda and tie the game at four.

The next four innings were a pitching duel as neither team were able to score a run. After nine innings of baseball, the Monarchs and the Railroaders were tied 4-4.

Jameson McGrane toed the rubber for the Monarchs in the 10th inning. Taylor started the top half of the 10th at second base due to American Association extra inning rules. The Railroaders were able to load the bases for Kacy Clemens, son of 11-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion Roger Clemens. Kacy delivered a double to right field and would reach third on an error in right to give Cleburne a 7-4 lead. Hector Sanchez followed up his at bat with an RBI-single to left field to score Clemens and push their lead to four runs.

Jan Hernandez started off the bottom of the 10th at second base, but wasn’t able to score as relief pitcher Austin Fairchild retired three straight Monarchs to end the game.

Game three of the four-game series against the Cleburne Railroaders is tomorrow (6/29) at 7 p.m. at Legends Field. The game can be heard on the Monarchs Broadcast Network with the pre-game beginning at 6:30 p.m. and the video stream airing on aabaseball.tv.

Tickets to all Monarchs games can be purchased by calling 913-328-5618 or by visiting monarchsbaseball.com. For additional information or interview requests, members of the media may contact the Monarchs Media Relations Department at (817) 739-3693. Stay tuned to monarchsbaseball.com. and the Monarchs Facebook and Twitter pages for updates throughout the season.

WP: Nick Gardewine (3-1)

LP: Jameson McGrane (0-1)

S: N/A

Boxscore

ALL STAR PITCHERS ANNOUNCED

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Below is a list of the pitchers and reserve players for the 2022 American Association All-Star Starters.

The league will now hold a “Last Man In” vote for each division on Monday-Wednesday which will allow fans to vote for the “Last Man In” for each division’s All-Star Team.

For the full list, visit: https://aabaseball.com/2022-american-association-all-star-pitchers-and-reserve-players/

KC RIDES THE RAILS BACK INTO WIN COLUMN

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The Kansas City Monarchs (27-13) racked up three home runs in a five run fifth inning, one being from newcomer infielder Chad De La Guerra, in a dominating 11-3 win over the Cleburne Railroaders (11-29).

In the first inning, Kansas City loaded the bases against Cleburne starter Josh Lucas. Darnell Sweeney was hit by a pitch, and Gaby Guerrero singled to left field, and Jan Hernandez reached first with a single to right field. A double play ball off the bat of Matt Adams sent Sweeney across home plate to give the Monarchs an early 1-0 lead.

Cleburne was quick to tie and then take the lead in the second, courtesy of Hector Sanchez and Eddie Hernandez. Alexander Hill reached on an error before Jacob Bockelie was walked to put runners at first and second. Sanchez brought in Alexander with a double to deep right field before a Hernandez putout at first brought in Bockelie, the score 2-1 at the top of the second.

In the second, Pete Kozma walked and went to second, on an error by the pitcher Lucas on a high pick off throw at first. The Monarchs De La Guerra, who joined the club Sunday, hit an RBI single to right field to tie it back up at 2-2.

In the top of the third, Zach Nehrir walked to start the inning, and Chase Simpson launches one to right field as Nehrir races to third base. Alexander taps one down the third base side for an RBI single as the Railroaders take back the lead, 3-2.

The Monarchs like their bases like they like their plates– loaded. In the bottom of the third, Railroaders starter Lucas faced another bases-loaded scenario as Jan Hernandez had a base hit to right before Willie Abreu and Adams both walked. With a Monarch at every base, Kozma drove a ball to right field for a two RBI single, and Kansas City took back the lead for good at 4-3.

Abreu extended the Monarchs lead in the bottom of the fifth with a two-run home run to the home run patio as Casey Gillaspie makes it to first via a walk, the score 6-3. In his first home game, De La Guerra launches one high up the home run hill for two more runs as Kozma makes it to second base, adding to the Monarchs tally at 8-3. In back-to-back fashion J.C. Escarra sends his own home run to right field, the Monarchs taking a commanding lead, 9-3.

Monarchs hit the double digits in the sixth with a homer to right field from Adams, a ‘Last Man In’ candidate for the All Star Game, making the score 10-3.

In the bottom of the eighth, Jan Hernandez and Gillaspie both get walked before Kevin Santa, who replaced Kozma in the top of the inning, hit an RBI-single to center to bring in Hernandez, making the final score 11-3.

Monarchs starter RHP Matt Hartman went 6.0 IP for 4 H, 3 R and 9 strikeouts and picked up his second straight win and his third straight quality start.

Game two in this four-game series against the Cleburne Railroaders is tomorrow (6/28) at 7 p.m. at Legends Field. The game can be heard on the Monarchs Broadcast Network with the pre-game beginning at 6:30 p.m. and the video stream airing on aabaseball.tv.

Tickets to all Monarchs games can be purchased by calling 913-328-5618 or by visiting monarchsbaseball.com. For additional information or interview requests, members of the media may contact the Monarchs Media Relations Department at (817) 739-3693. Stay tuned to monarchsbaseball.com. and the Monarchs Facebook and Twitter pages for updates throughout the season.

WP: Matt Hartman (2-2)

LP: Josh Lucas (1-2)

S: N/A

Boxscore

By: KAITLYN SANDERS

2022 AA ALL STAR STARTERS NAMED

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Below is a list of the starters for the 2022 American Association All-Star Starters.

The remaining All-Stars will be selected in two ways:

  1. We plan to have the pitchers and non-starters, selected by managers Joe Calfapietra (West Division) and Butch Hobson (East Division) and will announce those on Monday at 3:30pm CT during American Association NOW on Facebook Live
  2. The league will hold a “Last Man In” vote for each division next Monday-Wednesday which will allow fans to vote for the “Last Man In” onto each division’s All-Star Team.

2022 American Association All-Star Starters:

EAST DIVISION

C – Dylan Kelly – Milwaukee

1B – Gio Brusa – Lake Country

2B – Bryan Torres – Milwaukee

3B – Dylan Busby – Kane County

SS – Mason Davis – Milwaukee

OF – Jimmy Kerrigan – Kane County

OF – Zach Nehrir – Cleburne

OF – Chad Sedio – Milwaukee

DH – Keon Barnum – Milwaukee

WEST DIVISION

C – Deon Stafford Jr. – Winnipeg

1B – Manny Boscan – Fargo-Moorhead

2B – Darnell Sweeney – Kansas City

3B – David Thompson – Kansas City

SS – Ozzie Martinez – Sioux Falls

INF – Josh Altmann – Lincoln

OF – Jan Hernandez – Kansas City

OF – John Silviano – Fargo-Moorhead

DH – Drew Ward – Fargo-Moorhead

For more information on the All Star game, visit aabaseball.com

CANARIES GRAND SLAMS TO A VICTORY

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The Sioux Falls Canaries (13-27) did not let a 9-1 deficit phase them as they scrapped and clawed their way back to take down the Kansas City Monarchs (26-13) 16-10. The Canaries were able to rattle off nine unanswered runs throughout the middle innings of Sunday’s series finale. The offense was at its best for the hometown club as they clubbed two grand slams.

The Kansas City Monarchs offense scored in the first inning for the fourth game in a row and 18th time for the season. The Monarchs are now 12-6 when scoring in the first inning. The Kansas City offense could not be stopped until finally failing to scratch a run across in the fifth. Prior to that the Monarchs scored in each of the first four innings.

Joe Calfapietra’s team got on the board in the early going after a Darnell Sweeney walk and Jan Hernandez’s 17th home run of the season (2-0). Sioux Falls would respond right away with a home run of their own in the bottom of the first from Trey Michalczewski (2-1).

Kansas City would go on three-inning tear, scoring seven runs to take complete control of the game. The third inning was highlighted by both Matt Adams and Willie Abreu home runs. The fourth inning got started by a Chad De La Guerra single. The inning continued when J.C. Escarra barreled up an RBI triple, and the inning was capped off with a homer from Darnell Sweeney (9-1).

Monarchs starter, Jon Harris had a smooth outing until the Canaries bats came to life in the fourth. Sioux Falls put together a four-run inning by being patient at the plate (9-5). Harris surrendered two walks and three hits in the inning which gave the birds some momentum.

Both teams would fail to score in the fifth inning, but the tide of the game was turned in the sixth. The Monarchs would close the book on Jon Harris and bring in RHP Justin Donatella. The Canaries offense adapted quickly to the pitching change and forced Donatella to exit after just 0.2 innings.

Jordan Martinson came into the game in a tough situation with the bases loaded. Shamoy

Christopher would take Martinson’s fifth pitch over the left field wall for a grand-slam, and the Sioux Falls lead (10-9)

The Monarchs did not go away without a fight. Matt Adams stayed disciplined at the plate in the eighth to work a walk with the bases loaded, tying the game back up (10-10), but the struggle from Kansas City’s bullpen continued just a few moments later. Sioux Falls ran away with the game by producing six runs in the eighth inning. John Nester played hero by belting the second grand slam for the Canaries on the day to ultimately put the game on ice and solidify the unthinkable comeback victory to win the series (16-10).

The Monarchs will travel home to take on the visiting Cleburne Railroaders in a four-game series starting on Monday. Kansas City will begin game one at 7:00 p.m. The game can be heard on the Monarchs Broadcast Network with the pre-game beginning at 6:35 p.m. and the video stream airing on aa baseball.tv.

Tickets to all Monarchs games can be purchased by calling 913-328-5618 or by visiting monarchsbaseball.com. For additional information or interview requests, members of the media may contact the Monarchs Media Relations Department at (817) 739-3693. Stay tuned to monarchs baseball.com. and the Monarchs Facebook and Twitter pages for updates throughout the season.

WP: Hasty (1-1)

LP: Koch (1-1) S: N/A

Boxscore

LISTEN TO ALL MONARCHS GAMES LIVE ON THE MONARCHS BROADCAST NETWORK

 By: JAXSON WEBB

SWEENEY SHINES IN MONARCHS WIN

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Darnell Sweeney was a double away from the cycle Saturday night at Sioux Falls Stadium. He finished his night 3-5 with four RBI and helped the Kansas City Monarchs (26-12) beat the Sioux City Explorers (12-27) 8-3.

The Monarchs offense got off to a hot start. On the first pitch of the game, Darnell Sweeney belted a solo home run to give the Monarchs a 1-0 lead. Kevin Santa followed this up with a triple. Jan Hernandez stepped up to the plate and mashed his 16th home run of the year, extending the lead to three. Immediately after Hernandez’s at-bat, Casey Gillaspie notched a solo home run. The Monarchs finished their half of the inning with six hits and a 4-0 lead over the Canaries.

Kansas City extended their lead in the third inning. Willie Abreu drove an RBI single to left field to bring in Matt Adams. Later in the inning, Sweeney blasted a bases-clearing triple to score Abreu, Pete Kozma, and Alexis Olmeda to give the Monarchs an 8-0 lead.

Lewis Thorpe started on the mound for Kansas City. He retired 11 straight Canaries before Gavin LaValley hit a solo home run in the fourth inning to get Sioux Falls on the scoreboard.

Both teams were quiet until the Canaries scored a pair of runs in the sixth. Wyatt Ulrich led off the inning with a single to center field. Jabari Henry hit an RBI double to score Ulrich and was brought in on an RBI single by John Nester. After six innings of play, Kansas City led 8-3 over Sioux Falls.

Thorpe earned a quality start as he finished his night, allowing three runs while striking out eight batters in six innings of work.

Brock Gilliam relieved Lewis Thorpe in the seventh inning. After missing several weeks due to an injury, he didn’t miss a beat. Gilliam struck out the side in the bottom of the seventh. He threw two more scoreless innings and struck out Angelo Altavilla to end the game and earn his first save of the season.

The Monarchs will face off against the Canaries in the rubber match tomorrow afternoon at 1:05 p.m. The game can be heard on the Monarchs Broadcast Network with the pre-game beginning at 12:35 p.m. and the video stream airing on aa baseball.tv.

Tickets to all Monarchs games can be purchased by calling 913-328-5618 or by visiting monarchsbaseball.com. For additional information or interview requests, members of the media may contact the Monarchs Media Relations Department at (817) 739-3693. Stay tuned to monarchs baseball.com. and the Monarchs Facebook and Twitter pages for updates throughout the season.

WP: Lewis Thorpe (5-1)

LP: Joey Pulido (0-4)

S: Brock Gilliam (1)

Boxscore

By: GABRIEL LOPEZ

CANARIES SWOOP IN, STEAL SERIES OPENER

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The Kansas City Monarchs (25-12) couldn’t take flight against the Sioux Falls Canaries (12-26) and fell in a close, 5-4 fashion.

The Monarchs started off their Friday night right with some two-out magic in the first frame with a Matt Adams two-run blast to right field, following a Gaby Guerrero single. Akeem Bostick received the start for Kansas City and produced two scoreless innings before surrendering any runs to the Canaries. The Monarchs turned a much needed 6-4-3 double play in the first to snuff out any early momentum for the Canaries.

Both offenses went quietly in the 2nd with flyouts and a pop out from the Monarchs, and a one, two, three inning from Bostick. Bostick recorded his first strikeout to start the second and retired the next two batters with help from the field. The Monarchs went scoreless in the third, stranding one in scoring position, leading 2-0 heading into the home half. The Canaries swooped in and stole the lead in the third inning behind a flurry of runs. Aggressive baserunning and a leadoff single from Nick Gotta sparked the scoring in the third. Following a walk to load the bases, a hard hit grounder to second base forced an errant throw from Darnell Sweeney that led to two runs to tie the game. The Canaries, with only one out, were not done in the inning with three more RBI singles, before the Monarchs could end the inning.

In the fourth, the Monarchs responded quickly with a leadoff single and aggressive baserunning of their own. David Thompson’s leadoff single was followed up by patience at the plate from Jan Hernandez. With two on and no outs the Monarchs executed a double steal during a strikeout. Pete Kozma delivered with an RBI single bringing home the All-Star starters, Thompson and Hernandez. Bostick settled down after the five run third inning, with a one, two, three frame in the bottom of the fourth. Bostick needed only nine pitches to retire the side.

The fifth inning was scoreless for both teams even as the Canaries threatened with runners in scoring position to try and extend their one run lead. In the sixth, the Monarchs were retired in one, two, three fashion by the Canaries’ reliever Mitchell Walters. Bostick recorded two outs in the bottom of the sixth before Kansas City turned the ball over to Brandon Koch to hold the Canaries at bay in the sixth.

In the top of the seventh, the Monarchs nearly tied it up following a one-out double from J.C. Escarra but were unable to bring him home after a warning track flyout from Willie Abreu. Escarra tagged to third base, but after some nifty fielding from the Canaries, they closed the door on the Monarchs comeback attempt in the seventh. In the home half of the seventh, Koch continued to work in the seventh inning, allowing no runs, one hit and securing one strikeout to continue to hold the Canaries close heading into the final frames.

In the eighth, the Monarchs were shut down and held scoreless after the Canaries called upon their bullpen to bring in Matthew Dunaway. Dunaway retired the Monarchs in order and recorded one strikeout. The Monarchs relied on Frank Rubio to replace Brandon Koch to hold the Canaries scoreless and provide them one final shot at stealing game one of their the three game series.

The Canaries’ Riley Ferrell struck out the first batter he faced in the top of the ninth and retired the next two batters he faced to secure his sixth save and slam the door on the Monarchs.

The Monarchs will continue their road trip with game two of three against the Sioux Falls Canaries tomorrow night (6/25) at 6:05 p.m. The game can be heard on the Monarchs Broadcast Network with the pre-game beginning at 5:35 p.m. and the video stream airing on aabaseball.tv.

Tickets to all Monarchs games can be purchased by calling 913-328-5618 or by visiting monarchsbaseball.com. For additional information or interview requests, members of the media may contact the Monarchs Media Relations Department at (817) 739-3693. Stay tuned to monarchsbaseball.com. and the Monarchs Facebook and Twitter pages for updates throughout the season.

WP: Charlie Hasty (1-1)

LP: Akeem Bostick (3-3)

S: Ryan Ferrell (6)

Boxscore

By: CALEB GRIZZLE

MONARCHS GO SWEEPING IN THE RAIN

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The roughly hour-long rain delay at the bottom of the third couldn’t stop the Kansas City Monarchs (25-11) from completing their sweep of the Sioux City Explorers (14-21) with a score of 8-1.

In the bottom of the first, Darnell Sweeney put the Monarchs on the board first with a home run up the center for the 1-0 lead. Gaby Guerrero batted next, crushing another home run into the visiting bullpen in left field. The back-to-back home runs resulted in an early 2-0 lead.

The Monarchs seemed only capable of homers as Alexis Olmeda hit one out to the home run patio in the second inning to extend the lead to 3-0.

After the rain delay, the Explorers put their first run on the board in the fourth courtesy of Trey Martin. Danny Amaral put one out deep in right field for a triple before Martin hit a single to center field, grabbing an RBI and making the score 3-1 in the top of the fourth.

In the bottom of the sixth, the bases were loaded as David Thompson, Casey Gillaspie and Pete Kozma were all intentionally walked. Olmeda also walked for an RBI, bringing the score to 4-1. With a pitching change from Sioux City, Nate Gercken avoided any more runs on his line as he escaped with loaded bases.

Darnell Sweeney walked in the bottom of the seventh before Guerrero reached first with a high chopper to the pitcher. Thompson launched a home run to left field for a three-run home run to increase the Monarchs lead to 7-1.

In the eighth inning, Pete Kozma reached first on an error by the second baseman before Olmeda walked again. With a  single to center field, Kevin Santa brought in Kozma for an RBI, adding to Kansas City’s buffer at 8-1.

The next Monarchs game is tomorrow (6/24) at Sioux Falls against the Sioux Falls Canaries. The game can be heard on the Monarchs Broadcast Network with the pre-game beginning at 6:30 p.m. and the video stream airing on aabaseball.tv.

Tickets to all Monarchs games can be purchased by calling 913-328-5618 or by visiting monarchsbaseball.com. For additional information or interview requests, members of the media may contact the Monarchs Media Relations Department at (817) 739-3693. Stay tuned to monarchsbaseball.com. and the Monarchs Facebook and Twitter pages for updates throughout the season.

WP: Justin Donatella (1-0)

LP: Tom Windle (0-2)

S: N/A

Boxscore

By: KAITLYN SANDERS

MATT SHOWS A LOT OF HART

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Matt Hartman was the biggest reason for the Monarchs success Wednesday night at Legends Field. He finished the night throwing six scoreless innings, allowing five hits and striking out seven to earn his first win of the season. The Kansas City Monarchs (24-11) offense did enough to bring two runs across the plate, helping them obtain a 2-1 win over the Sioux City Explorers (14-20).

Patrick Ledet had a solid performance for the Explorers. He allowed two runs through seven innings of work while striking out three.

The Monarchs broke the 0-0 tie in the fourth inning. After Joel Booker worked a walk, Darnell Sweeney advanced him to third on a single to left field. With runners on first and third, Gaby Guerrero hit a fielder’s choice to score Booker and give the Monarchs a 1-0 lead.

After a scoreless fifth inning from both teams, Kansas City added one more in the bottom of the sixth. Joel Booker worked his second walk of the day and immediately stole second. Sweeney stepped up to the plate and roped a single to center field to score Booker and give the Monarchs a 2-0 lead. Sweeney went 2-3 with an RBI on the night and was responsible for two of the three Kansas City hits.

Jameson McGrane entered the ninth inning and struck out the side to earn his sixth save of the season.

The Kansas City Monarchs will look to sweep the Sioux City Explorers Thursday morning (6/23) at 11:00 a.m. The game can be heard on the Monarchs Broadcast Network with the pre-game beginning at 10:30 a.m. and the video stream airing on aabaseball.tv.

Tickets to all Monarchs games can be purchased by calling 913-328-5618 or by visiting monarchsbaseball.com. For additional information or interview requests, members of the media may contact the Monarchs Media Relations Department at (817) 739-3693. Stay tuned to monarchsbaseball.com. and the Monarchs Facebook and Twitter pages for updates throughout the season.

WP: Matt Hartman (1-2)

LP: Patrick Ledet (2-1)

S: Jameson McGrane (6)

Boxscore