WILD PITCH WALK OFF SPOILS TRIP

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Two outs stood between a perfect 6-0 road trip for the Kansas City Monarchs (54-32) Sunday afternoon in Lincoln, but a wild pitch in the bottom of the ninth inning capped a wild finish at Haymarket Park, giving the local nine a 6-5 win.

Lincoln (40-47) got off to a fast start in the home half of the first inning with a two-out RBI single from Jason Rogers, scoring two runs off Monarchs starter Nick Belzer to take a 2-0 lead.

The Lincoln Saltdogs sent in the Pitcher of the Month of July Greg Minier, and he delivered. The Monarchs would only muster one run on three hits—one of them was a solo home run off the bat of Jacob Robson in the top of the third inning that cut the early Lincoln lead to 2-1.

The Saltdogs would add another run in the bottom of the third inning on an RBI double from Rogers to take a 3-1. Belzer would toss a quality start (3ER or less in at least 6 IP) the seventh in a row for the Monarchs and the sixth on the road trip. The right-hander would leave after six and would scatter seven hits with one walk and six strikeouts in a no decision. In the seventh, Jeremy Rhoades would enter the game in relief of Belzer. Rhoades retired the first two batters, but Justin Byrd would hit a solo home run to right to make it 4-1 in favor of the “Lincolns”.

The Saltdogs would turn to Matt Cronin in the top of the eighth after Minier left the game. The lefty out of California finished with seven innings, giving up one earned run on three hits with eight punchouts. Cronin would surrender a lead-off double to Pete Kozma and a walk to J.C. Escarra. Kevin Santa would reach on a bunt single that would load the bases for KC. Robson would knock a deep ball to center to wipe the bases clean for the 10th grand slam of the year for the Monarchs, giving the Monarchs a 5-4 lead.

Frank Rubio would work a scoreless eighth, and after a scoreless top of the ninth, at the plate for Kansas City came Brandon Koch in the bottom of the ninth. Koch, working for his third save in three days, would walk the leadoff batter Hunter Clanin. He would then get a fly out from Randy Norris, but pinch hitter Matt Goodheart would single to right to put runners at first and second. Justin Byrd drove a single to right center to score Clanin to tie the game at five.

Jameson McGrane was summoned from the pen and would see Rayder Ascanio reach on a soft grounder to second that Kevin Santa fielded, but his throw to first pulled Casey Gillaspie off the bag to load the bases. With one ball and one strike on Ryan Long, McGrane uncorked a wild pitch that would send Goodheart home from third and end the Monarchs seven-game winning streak.

The Monarchs (54-32) finished the road trip 5-1 and return home tomorrow night (8/22) to face the Winnipeg Goldeyes at 7:00 p.m. 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 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 monarchsbaseball.com. and the Monarchs Facebook and Twitter pages for updates throughout the season.

WP: Carter Hope (5-2)

LP: Brandon Koch (2-3)

S: NA

Boxscore

By: Dan Vaughan, Jr. 

HALL NOTCHES 12 K’S & KC CLINCHES

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The Kansas City Monarchs (54-31) defeated the Lincoln Saltdogs (39-47) Saturday night at Haymarket Park. Matt Hall, starting pitcher for the Monarchs, struck out a season-high 12 batters, notching the win against the Saltdogs, 3-2. The victory clinches an American Association playoff spot for Kansas City for the fourth straight season.

The Monarchs batters took a while to get grooving in Lincoln. Pete Kozma got the momentum going in the top of the third inning with a double to left field. A base hit from Ryan Grotjohn allowed the Monarchs to get on the board first, 1-0.

Monarchs’ bats remained quiet until Ryan Grotjohn’s base hit started the sixth inning. Jacob Robson and Casey Gillaspie followed with walks, loading the bases, and the Monarchs were in business. Another walk by Gio Brusa brought in Ryan Grotjohn, bringing the lead to 2-0. The walks resulted in a pitching change for the Saldogs as Jonathan Cheshire came in for John Bezdicek. Olmeda followed the pitching change with a single, scoring Robson and ending the inning with some insurance and a KC lead, 3-0.

Matt Hall ended his quality start with 12 punch-outs, a season high for him as Brian Glowicki came in in the top of the seventh inning for relief. The first batter, Luke Roskam, hit a home run, followed by an error that advanced Randy Norris, but Glowicki and the Monarchs defense held off the Saltdog advance, ending the inning with a 3-1 lead.

In the home half of the eighth inning, Ryan Long started the Saltdog offense off with a walk from Glowicki, followed by a single by Jason Rogers, then a sacrifice fly from Hunter Clanin scored Ryan Long, narrowing the 3-2 Monarchs lead.

Brandon Koch came in for the Monarchs save, and he worked a 1-2-3 inning, ending the game with a 3-2 victory and a spot in the 2022 playoffs American Association playoffs. The winning pitcher was Matt Hall (8-2), the losing pitcher John Bezdicek (0-3). The Monarchs trail the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks by 3.5 games for the top seed in the post season with 15 games left to play including four head to head over Labor Day weekend.

The Monarchs will look to sweep the three-game weekend series tomorrow afternoon (8/21) against the Lincoln Saltdogs at 1:05 p.m. The game can be heard on the Monarchs Broadcast Network with the pre-game beginning at 12:30 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: Matt Hall (8-2)

LP: John Bezdicek (0-3)

S: Brandon Koch

Boxscore

By: GMW Vaughan

AA PARTNERS UP WITH RADIO NETWORK

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The American Association of Professional Baseball announces a partnership with the America’s Pastime Radio Network for a first of its kind MLB Partner League national radio broadcast. The America’s Pastime Radio Network will broadcast up to 15 games beginning Saturday, August 20, 2022. Our partnership begins with a seven-games-in-seven-days tour of the league, covering all 12 teams.

The first broadcast on Saturday, August 20 begins with the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks at the Chicago Dogs. Then, America’s Pastime will travel to Geneva, IL for the Cleburne Railroaders (Dallas, TX) at the Kane County Cougars on Sunday. The league newcomer, Lake Country (Wisconsin) will host the network on Monday as the DockHounds take on the Milwaukee Milkmen. Its rivalry game day on Tuesday, August 23 for the Sioux City Explorers at the Sioux Falls Canaries. Then, the America’s Pastime Radio Network goes international on Wednesday with the Winnipeg Goldeyes at the Kansas City Monarchs. On Thursday, August 25, it’s back to Chicagoland for the Lincoln Saltdogs at Kane County followed by the Gary SouthShore RailCats at Chicago on Friday, August 26.

“The American Association is excited to place our product on a national platform,” said Joshua Schaub, Commissioner of the American Association of Professional Baseball. “We know our brand of baseball and the idea we play to win will appeal to those who are still romantic about this game. The passion our fans, teams and cities hold for the league and for the game of baseball will permeate to the new found listeners on America’s Pastime Network.”

“I couldn’t be more excited to partner with such a true baseball lovers league,” said Noah Britt, President & GM of the Mobile, AL based America’s Pastime Radio Network. “I have been in radio for 24 years. In all of these years I have never worked with a more professional group and a league that gets what baseball really means to the players and the communities that they are in. This is excellent baseball. Fans all over America are going to be exposed to a league that they are going to fall in love with and will follow for years to come. I am proud to have a hand in the first ever MLB Partner League national radio broadcast. A big thank you to commissioner Joshua Schaub and his great team for doing so much with their available resources.”

The America’s Pastime Radio Network will broadcast two more games nationally from Kansas City on September 4 and 5 before an up to six game playoff slate. Up to three Division Championship Series games will be broadcast on September 12-15. Then up to Three Wolff Cup final games will be aired September 20-22. With over 100 radio signals across the network, fans can check their local listings for their local station. Fans can also listen online to the Radio Network’s flagship radio station WPMO based in the Mobile, AL market. Listen online at http://wpmoradio.com or beginning Saturday, August 20 at http://americaspastimeradio.com

For more information, please email the American Association of Professional Baseball’s Deputy Commissioner, Josh Buchholz at jbuchholz@aabaseball.com. To contact the America’s Pastime Radio Network, please email Noah Britt at noah@americaspastimeradio.com Re-established in 2006, the American Association of Professional Baseball is the premier MLB Professional Partner League.

The 12-team league has clubs in nine states and one Canadian province and has clubs situated in the United States’ five largest media markets. MLB clubs regularly transfer American Association players to their affiliated minor leagues, and 22 former American Association players appeared in MLB games last season. The league prides itself on becoming a community asset and will draw nearly two million fans in 2022. Teams in the American Association play each game to win, and fans appreciate the ability to connect to the game they grew up loving in an affordable, family-friendly environment. For more information on the American Association please visit http://www.aabaseball.com.

 

SANTA DELIVERS AND HARTMAN SHINES

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The Kansas City Monarchs (53-31) got a grand slam home run in the top of the fourth inning from Kevin Santa and a quality start from Matt Hartman to take game one of the three game series from the Lincoln Saltdogs (39-46), Friday night at Haymarket Park in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The Monarchs took the lead in the top of the second on Casey Gillaspie’s solo shot to right field. It was his 16th home run of the season and his 51st in franchise history placing him fifth all time for Kansas City.

Matt Hartman was in a good groove early for Kansas City as the right-hander tossed five scoreless frames giving up just two hits and holding Lincoln off the board through five. In the top of the fourth, the Monarchs would load the sacks off starter Zach St. Pierre. Casey Gillaspie was hit by a pitch with one out and was followed by Gio Brusa, who would work a walk. J.C.Escarra would single to right to load the bases. Kevin Santa then hit a grand slam to right field to wipe the bases clean and push the Monarchs to a 5-0 lead.

In the sixth the Saltdogs got back-to-back home runs from Rayder Ascanio and Ryan Long with one out to cut into the lead at 5-2. Hartman would then right the ship and get the final two outs and finish the night tossing six innings, allowing two earned runs on two hits with five strikeouts.

Jameson McGrane worked a three up and three down seventh inning, but would see the Saltdogs pick up two runs off the righty in the home half of the eighth. Ascanio would launch his second home run of the game, a two-run shot, to cut the lead to 5-4 as the game went to the ninth.

The Monarchs would go in order in the ninth and would turn to Brandon Koch to close the game out in the bottom of the inning. Koch would strikeout the first two batters then get a ground out to end the game and record his third save of the season. The Monarchs winning streak is now six in a row and they are 4-0 on the current six game road trip.

The Monarchs and Saltdogs play game two of the three-game weekend series tomorrow night (8/20) at 7:05 p.m at Haymarket Park in Lincoln, Nebraska. 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 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: Matt Hartman (5-5)

LP: Zach St. Pierre (0-1)

S: Koch (3)

Boxscore

BY: Dan Vaughan, Jr.

BROOMS ON SALE IN WINNIPEG

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The Kansas City Monarchs (52-31) completed the three-game sweep of the Winnipeg Goldeyes (46-37) by a score of 7-2 Thursday night at Shaw Park. Some injuries in the rotation and awkward timing of starts required Kansas City’s Jordan Martinson to make his first start of the season, and Martinson took the opportunity by storm as he went six innings of one-run ball, only allowing two hits in the process.

Kansas City’s usual back-end bullpen arm Jordan Martinson would begin the game on the mound for the first time this season, and his phenomenal showing played a large part in keeping the matchup a low-scoring one. The affair started out quiet, with the first two innings coming and going with only seven batters seeing the plate each inning.

It wasn’t until the third inning that the first run would be scored as, after a 1-2-3 top half, Winnipeg second baseman Kevin Lachance would belt a leadoff home run, spoiling Martinson’s perfect start. Eric Rivera would later smack a two-out double to center field, but Martinson would retire the next batter, only allowing the one run through three.

As per usual for the 2022 Monarchs offense, this opposing score would soon be met by the Monarchs scoring a run of their own. Darnell Sweeney reached on a single and Jan Hernandez was hit by a pitch by Alex Manasa. Casey Gillaspie would then deliver like he’s done on the road all season with a double to right field, scoring Sweeney and evening the game at one. In the bottom half, Martinson would settle back into his groove and retire the side in order.

In the fifth, Kansas City would once again put a run on the board with two outs when Ryan Grotjohn would step up to the plate after the first two batters of the inning were sat down. Grotjohn extended the inning and the Monarchs’ run total with a solo home run to right field, giving Kansas City its first lead of the game, 2-1. In the bottom half, Martinson would make it seven straight outs when he retired the side in order.

The Monarchs would lead the top of the sixth off with back-to-back singles, which would chase Goldeyes starter Alex Manasa from the game. After relief pitcher Travis Seabrooke got Gillaspie to fly out for the second out of the inning, J.C. Escarra would double to right field and move Jan Hernandez to third base. Pete Kozma would then step up and hit a single that would score Hernandez and lengthen the KC lead to 3-1, but Escarra would get thrown out on a close play at the plate to end the half-inning. In the bottom half, Jordan Martinson would remind us that he is in fact human, and allow back-to-back walks after retiring the first batter of the inning. It all ended up being part of the plan, however, as he would then induce a 1-4-3 double play, ending the inning.

In the top of the seventh, Ryan Grotjohn would lurk in the on-deck circle, fresh off of his go-ahead homer in his last at-bat. Grotjohn decided one wasn’t enough, and promptly blasted another solo homer, extending the Monarchs lead to 4-1. In the bottom half, Jeremy Rhoades would enter on to begin the inning, ending the stellar night for Martinson. Rhoades would strike out two of the four batters he would face, keeping the score 4-1 Monarchs.

Bryan Blanton would come in for the top of the eighth and limit the Monarchs to nothing but a Jan Hernandez walk and stolen base. Rhoades would remain on for the Monarchs in the eighth and record a 1-2-3 inning.

Pete Kozma stepped up to the plate in the top of the ninth as the beginning of the Monarchs’ last chance to add on to their lead. Kozma then delivered with a leadoff single. Two batters later, Ryan Grotjohn would hit a single of his own, putting runners at first and second. With two outs on the board, Matt Adams made sure to drive the nail deep into the heart of Winnipeg with a three-run bomb, giving the Monarchs a late 7-1 lead. After a pitching change and a pair of free bags, a Casey Gillaspie strikeout would end the half-inning.

Jacob Lindgren would relieve Rhoades in the ninth and walk the first batter, which would then be followed by an infield single, and then another walk, loading the bases with no outs. Frank Rubio would then come on for the Monarchs and strike out the first batter he saw. The next batter, Logan Hill, would hit a sac fly out to left, leaving the Goldeyes with one last chance to make up the now five-run deficit. A ground ball from Kevin Lachance would end those hopes, making the final score 7-2 Monarchs for the final game of the three-game sweep.

The Monarchs begin a three-game weekend series tomorrow night (8/19) against the Lincoln Saltdogs at 7:05 p.m at Haymarket Park in Lincoln, Nebraska. 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 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: Jordan Martinson (5-1)

LP: Alex Manasa (3-5)

S: N/A

Boxscore

BY: Adam Cook

MONARCHS GO FISHING IN GAME TWO

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The Kansas City Monarchs (51-31) went fishing in Canada, and came home with plenty, sending the Goldeyes (46-36) home with another loss at their own pond, 7-3 the final score. 

Game two of the series with the Goldeyes started rather slowly. With Alex Hart on the bump for the Goldeyes and Brock Gilliam for the Monarchs, the first, second, and third innings ended without any action from either team.

In the top of the fourth, however, an early walk for Matt Adams got the action started for the Monarchs. Casey Gillaspie followed with a base hit, and a bunt from Kevin Santa advanced him to second on an error by the pitcher, Alex Hart, and scored Matt Adams, giving the Monarchs the first lead of the game, 1-0. Gio Brusa followed with a base hit that moved Kevin Santa to third, and an Alexis Olmeda base hit brought in Kevin Santa adding to the Monarchs lead, 3-0.  Darnell Sweeney advanced to first on an error by first baseman David Washington, scoring Gio Brusa and ending the inning with a 4-0 lead over the Goldeyes.

After a pitching change for the Goldeyes, Matt Adams started the fifth off with a towering home run off John Vargas who came in for Alex Hart, adding to the Monarchs lead 5-0.

In the home half of the fifth inning, a Jacob Rhinesmith walk followed by Logan Hill homerun got the Goldeyes on the board, 5-2. It was only the second hit allowed by Brock Gilliam on the night. The Basehor, Kansas native went six innings with two hits and two earned runs and would pick up his sixth win of the year.

Jeremy Rhoades took the bump for the Monarchs in the home half of the seventh and kept the Goldeyes bats silent. Rhoades would strikeout Deon Stafford Jr with two on and two outs to preserve the Monarchs 5-3 lead.

Reliever Zac Ryan came in for Winnipeg in the top of the eighth and shut down the Monarchs. Ryan Glowicki then came in for the Monarchs and walked Eric Rivera followed by a base hit for Ian Sagdal. With the big bat of Max Murphy batting the tying run, a pop fly deep to right field moved Eric Rivera to third and Ian Sagdal to second. David Washington came to the plate, hoping to tie up the game. Glowicki’s final strike got him out, but a wild pitch brought in a run, making the score 5-3.

Finally, Will McAffer took the mound for the Goldeyes, hoping to keep the Monarchs bats quiet in the ninth, but Mallex Smith started the inning with a base hit, followed with another base hit by Darnell Sweeney that moved Smith to third. Jacob Robson got walked, loading the bases with no outs. The power bat of Matt Adams stepped up next, and he hit a chopper to left, bringing home Mallex Smith and scoring Darnell Sweeney on a bad throw to first, and buying some insurance, 7-3 the score.

As Brandon Koch came in to close in the bottom of the ninth, the Goldeyes hoped to cut into the Monarchs lead, but Koch quickly struck out the first batter, Jacob Rhinesmith. Logan Hill followed with a double. But the defensive glove of Mallex Smith got Deon Stafford Jr out for the second out. Eric Rivera struck out to end the hopes for the Goldeyes as the Monarchs took game two, 7-3. The winning pitcher was Brock Gilliam (6-2)  and the loser Alex Hart (0-1).

The Kansas City Monarchs and Winnipeg Goldeyes will play the final game of the three game series Thursday (8/18) with the first pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m.. The game can be heard on the Monarchs Broadcast Network with the pre-game beginning at 6:00 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: Gilliam (6-2)

LP:  Hart (0-1)

Boxscore

BY: GMW Vaughan

MONARCHS EXPLORE IN OPENING WIN

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The Monarchs (50-31) crossed the Canadian border for the first time since 2019 ready to keep the dancing ushers off beat. While the Goldeyes (46-35) got on board first, the fourth inning proved explosive for the Monarchs on a Casey Gillaspie grand slam home run. The Monarchs start the series off with a statement win in game one with a score of 7-4.

In the first inning, the Goldeyes showed they fully intended to keep the Monarchs from another reign as the first batter got grazed by a Nick Belzer pitch, followed by an Ian Sagdal base hit and an error that moved runners up. A Max Murphy base hit scored the first two runs, ending the first inning with an early 2-0 lead for the Goldeyes.

In the second and third innings, the ushers kept dancing as the Goldeyes maintained their lead, but in the fourth inning, the Monarchs stepped on their toes, answering with a Mallex Smith early home run, cutting the lead in half, 2-1. Then after a base hit by Robson and walks for Adams and Escarra, Gallaspie crushed a grand slam to end the inning with a solid 5-2 lead for the Monarchs.

The Goldeyes fought back in the sixth with a triple by Murphy that scored Sagdal and ended the inning with a 5-3 score. The Goldeye bats continued to work in the seventh as Jacob Rhinesmith hit a double, but the Goldeyes couldn’t bring him home. At the end of the seventh, the score remained 5-3, and the dancing ushers stayed seated.

Travis Seabrook took the mound for the Goldeyes in the top of the eighth and walked both Matt Adams and Jan Hernandez, but the Monarchs failed to bring them home. In the bottom of the eighth, Brian Glowicki relieved Belzer. Sagdal advanced to first on a base hit, followed by a pop fly by Murphy that was caught, then dropped, allowing Sagdal to score. The inning ended with a nail-biting 5-4 score.

Tasker Strobel took the mound for Winnipeg in the ninth. After a base hit for Gallaspie, Ryan Grotjohn hit a no-doubter two-run home run to right field, answering the questionable call with good karma for the Monarchs, buying some insurance for the Monarchs, 7-4.

Brandon Koch came to the rubber for the Monarchs in the bottom of the ninth, earning the save. The Monarchs win their first game in Manitoba since 2019, 7-4. The winning pitcher was Nick Belzer, and Landon Bourassa got the loss, and the dancing ushers waltzed out of the park.

The Kansas City Monarchs and Winnipeg Goldeyes will play game two of the three game series Wednesday (8/17) with the first pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m.. The game can be heard on the Monarchs Broadcast Network with the pre-game beginning at 6:00 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: Belzer (4-2)

LP:  Bourassa (4-5)

S: Koch (2)

Boxscore

By: GMW Vaughan

HALL LANDS WEEKLY HONOR TWICE

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For the second time this season The American Association has named Kansas City Monarchs LHP Matt Hall the Pointstreak Pitcher of the Week for the week ending August 14th.  The Lee’s Summit native went 2-0 for the week and tossed 14 scoreless innings scattering five hits with 18 strikeouts and would lower his ERA to a league low 0.96.

The lefty began the week tossing seven shutout innings in a 3-0 Monarchs win at Sioux City then would follow that with an encore performance on Sunday afternoon at Legends Field in Kansas City. Hall would hold the Lincoln Saltdogs hitless through five innings before a bunt single would reach base one of only two hits allowed on the afternoon. The Monarchs would win the game 7-0.

Hall was named to Pitcher of the Week the first time this season for the week ending May 22nd after making two starts and surrendering just one earned run in 11 innings with 12 strikeouts. Hall would follow that week up with three consecutive starts with three consecutive wins and have his contract transferred to the San Francisco Giants on June 12. Hall returned to the Monarchs on July 14 and has allowed just three earned runs in 37 innings with 48 strikeouts while notching six quality starts in seven outings.

Hall originally joined the Monarchs last August during the final month of the season helping propel the club to the 2021 American Association Championship. Hall got the start in game two of the championship series, picking up the win and defeating the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks 8-4. During the 2021 playoffs, he was a key component to the Monarchs pitching staff. Hall had a 2-0 record and accumulated eleven strikeouts in twelve innings. He had a pivotal impact on the historic championship run and helped the Monarchs claim the franchise’s third title.

Hailing from Lee’s Summit, Hall attended Lee’s Summit West High School and played collegiately at Missouri State University where he was a sixth-round draft pick in the 2015 draft by the Detroit Tigers. Hall had his contract purchased on September 11, 2018 and made his Major League debut on September 15, 2018. He was traded after the 2018 season to Boston and appeared in four games for the Red Sox.

Hall also serves as the Pitching Coach for the Monarchs and has fashioned a 7-2 record this season for Kansas City with a 0.96 ERA in 65 innings. He has struck out 83, surrender 44 hits, walked 18 and allowed just seven earned runs on the season.

The Monarchs crossed the border into Canada Monday morning and will start a three-game series with the Winnipeg Goldeyes Tuesday night at Shaw Park in Winnipeg as part of a six-game road trip. The game time is set for 6:30 pm and 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.

The Monarchs return home Monday August 22 to face the Winnipeg Goldeyes at 7:00 pm at Legends Field in Kansas City. 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.

BETTER CALL HALL

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Kansas City’s starting pitcher Matt Hall was lights out from the mound. He threw seven scoreless innings while conceding just two hits and striking out ten. His performance helped the Kansas City Monarchs (49-31) shutout the Lincoln Saltdogs (37-44) 7-0 Sunday afternoon at Legends Field.

The Monarchs scored right away. Darnell Sweeney led off the first with a single up the middle. He advanced to second base as Saltdogs starting pitcher, John Bezdicek, delivered a pitch in the dirt. David Thompson drove in Sweeney to give Kansas City an early 1-0 lead.

The Monarchs extended their lead in the fourth inning. Jacob Robson notched a leadoff single. Thompson followed up the at-bat with a single of his own. Casey Gillaspie worked a walk to bring Gio Brusa to the plate who notched an RBI-single to left field. After four innings, Kansas City led 2-0.

The Monarchs continued to threaten the Saltdogs in the fifth inning. Pete Kozma led off the inning with a double to left field. Robson and Thompson worked back-to-back walks to load the bases. Casey Gillaspie earned his second walk of the day to score Kozma and make it a 3-0 ballgame.

Kansas City’s offense kept rolling in the sixth inning. With the bases loaded, Jacob Robson delivered a grand slam over the home run patio in left field. The long ball pushed the Monarchs lead to seven runs entering the top of the seventh.

Matt Hall started on the mound for the Monarchs. He was phenomenal, throwing seven scoreless innings with ten strikeouts. Hall allowed just two hits and kept the Saltdogs off balance the entire game.

Jameson McGrane toed the rubber for Kansas City in the top of the ninth. After walking Ryan Long, McGrane retired three straight to end the game. The Monarchs shutout the Saltdogs 7-0 to win two of the three games in the series.

The Monarchs hit the road to face the Winnipeg Goldeyes Tuesday night (8/16) at 6:30 p.m for a three-game series. The game can be heard on the Monarchs Broadcast Network with the pre-game beginning at 6:00 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: Matt Hall (7-2)

LP: John Bezdicek (0-2)

S: N/A

Boxscore

BY: GABRIEL LOPEZ

MONARCHS STRIKE BACK VS. SALTDOGS

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The Kansas City Monarchs (48-31) bounced back with a 14-10 win over the Lincoln Saltdogs (37-43). The Monarchs look for a series win against Lincoln tomorrow for the first one since the last series in July against the Sioux Falls Canaries.

Kansas City struck first as Jacob Robson was walked before David Thompson launched a ball to center field for a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first.

The Saltdogs responded in the top of the second as Wellington Dotel singled to right and Hunter Clanin got hit by a pitch. Skyler Weber then sent one straight back center field, scoring Dotel. Randy Norris snuck one down the third base side line for a double, tying the game at 2-2.

Lincoln took the lead at 3-2 in the third as Rayder Ascanio singled to right field and eventually reached third by a pass ball. A sacrifice fly from Josh Altmann then brought in Ascanio.

Matt Adams launched a towering rocket to the home run hill almost hitting the top of the clubhouse for a two-run home run, bringing in Thompson who had singled, making the score 4-3 going into the fourth.

The home runs did not stop as Ascanio sent a two-run home run to the home run patio in left bringing in Justin Byrd who was walked. Jason Rogers sent a deja-vu home run to left for another two-run home run in the same inning as Ryan Long had a single to right, bringing the score to 7-4.

Casey Gillaspie doubled to right field before Ryan Grotjohn did the same. Kevin Santa then sent a sac fly to center field, allowing Grotjohn run in from third, digging into the Saltdogs lead 7-6 going into the fifth.

Clanin doubled to left field before Luke Roskam pinch hit for Skyler Weber, sending a ball to deep right field for an RBI double, extending Lincoln’s lead to 8-6.

The bottom of the fifth proved a big one for the Monarchs with Sweeney being hit by a pitch and J.C. Escarra and Gillaspie both getting walked. Grotjohn doubled to right for two RBI before Kevin Santa singled to center allowing Kansas City to take the lead at 10-8.

Robson slid into home after being walked to first and advancing to second on a wild pitch. He reached third on a fly out and Adams singled to center, adding to their lead 11-8.

The Monarchs kept the runs coming in the seventh as the bases were loaded again. Gillaspie got walked, Grotjohn singled to center and Santa bunted before Thompson singled to left field for two RBI, extending the lead to 13-8 going into the eighth.

Gillaspie sent the only solo home run for the Monarchs to deep center field in the bottom of the eighth, growing the lead to14-8.

The Saltdogs didn’t go quietly though as Dotel singled to left field before Clanin launched a home run to the patio in left, but it wasn’t enough as they still trailed 14-10.

Kansas City starter Lewis Thorpe went 2.0 IP with 3 H, 2 R and 1 K, and Zach St Pierre finished with 4.0 IP, 7 H, 6 R and 1 K.

The Monarchs face the Saltdogs in the last game of this series tomorrow afternoon (8/14) at Legends Field at 3:00 p.m. The game can be heard on the Monarchs Broadcast Network with the pre-game beginning at 2:30 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: Frank Rubio (3-2)

LP: Josh Norwood (1-3)

S: N/A

Boxscore

By: KAITLYN SANDERS