MONARCHS ROAD COMES TO AN END

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The KC Monarchs (3-2) championship road came to a heartbreaking end Thursday night at Legends Field as the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks (4-2) punched their ticket to the American Association Championship Series (Miles Wolff Cup) with a 4-1 win. The RedHawks got stellar starting pitching from true rookie Peyton Wigginton (1-0), who held the league’s leading offense in check scattering six hits over six shutout innings.

The RedHawks grabbed the lead in the top of the third inning with a lead off single by Evan Alexander and a two-run home run from Christian Correa to left to make it 2-0 off Monarchs starter Jalen Miller (0-1).

While Wigginton was able to hold the Monarchs off the board, Kansas City did have chances to get the offense going. The Monarchs got a runner on in each of the first four innings and had the bases loaded in the fourth, but Wigginton was able to make the key pitches to keep Kansas City at bay.

The RedHawks got a one out double in the fifth and scored on a wide throw at first on a ground ball to the deep right side of the infield from Ryan Grotjohn. The Monarchs second sacker made a great diving play in a deep shift in shallow rightfield, but the throw was low and bounced wide of first baseman Casey Gillaspie for an unearned run.

The “Fargos” would tack on another run in the top of the sixth on a lead off double from John Silviano off Jordan Martinson. Manuel Boscan hit a ball to short that Pete Kozma threw to third to get Silviano, but the throw was low and Darnell Sweeney could not come up with the ball to put runners at the corners. Alec Olund hit a shallow fly to right for the first out, but Evan Alexander hit a sac fly to center to make it a 4-0 score in favor of the RedHawks.

Kansas City would load the bases once again against Wigginton in the sixth, but the lefty would once again make a big pitch to get out of the inning with two outs. Tanner Riley came in for the RedHawks in the seventh and walk J.C. Escarra then get a double play ball off the bat of

Kevin Santa. The rookie right-hander would then issue back to back walks to Mallex Smith and Darnell Sweeney before Joe Jones came in to get the final out. The Monarchs lone run came in the home half of the eighth inning. Jan Hernandez singled off Jones with one out. Casey Gillaspie then doubled to left to put runners at second the third. Pete Kozma struck out but a wild pitch from Jones brought home Hernandez for the only Monarchs run. Jones would retire J.C. Escarra with a pop to second and the Monarchs would go to the ninth down 4-1.

Closer Alex Dubord would work the ninth for the RedHawks. He retired the first two batters before Darnell Sweeney hit a single off the wall in left. Ryan Grotjohn smoked a ball to the right side to shallow right into the defensive shift right into the glove of second baseman Peter Maris to finish out the game closing the book on the Monarchs season by a 4-1 score. The RedHawks move on to play the Milwaukee Milkmen who won the East Division Series on Wednesday night over Cleburne.

WP: Peyton Wigginton

LP: Jalen Miller (0-1)

S:  Alex DuBord (2)

Boxscore

Kansas City completed another successful season under the Monarchs name. The Monarchs led the American Association at the plate hitting .293 during the regular season. The team also led in runs scored (696), home runs (165), OBP (.384) and OPS (.889). On the hill the club had the lowest regular season ERA at 4.40 and tops in strike outs (967) and first in WHIP (1.38). The home run and strikeout totals were new league records and the regular season record of 65-35 was the second highest total in franchise history.

Season tickets to the 2023 Kansas City Monarchs season can be purchased by calling 913-328-5618 or by visiting monarchsbaseball.com for more information. 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 off season.

LISTEN TO ALL MONARCHS GAMES LIVE ON THE MONARCHS BROADCAST NETWORK

By: DAN VAUGHAN JR.

 

REDHAWKS FORCE GAME THREE

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The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks (3-2) were a pain in the Monarchs’ side all night, as the Kansas City Monarchs (3-1) lost the back-and-forth battle against the RedHawks by a score of 8-5 Wednesday night, forcing a decisive game three matchup to decide the winner of the West. This roller coaster of a ballgame featured four lead changes, but Fargo came out on top in the tug-of-war match after going ahead in the eighth and never looking back.

Monarchs starting pitcher Nick Belzer led the game off with a two-strike hit-by-pitch to leadoff batter Peter Maris. Belzer would retire the next three batters, but Maris would come around and score in the process, having the Monarchs bats enter the bottom half of the inning down 1-0.

However, the Monarchs offense would see their first baserunner in the second inning after Jan Hernandez drew a one-out walk from the five hole. Casey Gillaspie followed Hernandez up with a single up the middle that just got past the sliding glove of shortstop Sam Dexter, putting runners at first and third. J.C. Escarra, the hero of game one in Fargo, would deliver again with a fielder’s choice that scored Hernandez, evening the score at one. Pete Kozma would then make it three straight productive at-bats when he hit a ground ball to the 5-6 hole, scoring Escarra and giving the Monarchs a 2-1 lead.

In the third, the RedHawks would threaten with runners on second and third with only one away, but Nick Belzer wouldn’t allow it to get any worse for Kansas City as he struck out Drew Ward and then got Leobaldo Piña to ground out, stranding both. The Monarchs would also threaten in their half-inning when they got runners at the corners with one away. After a Jacob Robson strikeout, Hernandez would come to the plate and smack a line drive off of the left field Home Run Patio, extending the Kansas City lead to two. An intentional walk to Casey Gillaspie would load the bases, but J.C. Escarra would fly out to end the inning with the score 3-1.

The RedHawks would again threaten in the fourth, this time loading the bases with one away, but a ground ball right to Kevin Santa at the second base bag would be cause for an inning-ending double play, again stranding the RedHawks scoreless. The Monarchs would also get themselves to a bases-loaded situation in the bottom half, but a long line drive to deep center field off the bat of Ryan Grotjohn would be caught by center fielder Evan Alexander just before the warning track, retiring the inning without a score from either side despite both bases-loaded jams.

After a quiet fifth inning, Manuel Boscan woke Legends Field up in the top of the sixth with a two-run blast to left field, tying the game up at threes.

The RedHawks would then catch a break in the seventh when Brandon Koch would come on and allow two walks, putting runners at first and second with two outs. Then, a ground ball to Monarchs first baseman Casey Gillapsie would be mishandled, loading the bases for John Silviano, who delivered with a two-RBI single, making the score 5-3 Fargo-Moorhead.

The bottom of the seventh would also prove fruitful for the home nine, however. Ryan Grotjohn stepped to the plate with one out and put a charge into one, sending an absolute blast to the top of the right field Home Run Hill, cutting the deficit to one. Then, Jacob Robson would walk and steal second base, putting himself in scoring position when Casey Gillaspie would step in with two outs. Gillaspie would make up for his earlier mistake and come through with an RBI double to the left field corner, tying the game up once again, this time at five a piece.

Monarchs relief pitcher Jeremy Rhoades would begin the eighth inning on the bump, and would promptly walk Alec Olund. Just the way the RedHawks drew it up, Olund would be moved to second by way of the sacrifice bunt, and then be scored with an RBI single right up the middle by Sam Dexter, once again giving the RedHawks a lead, 6-5.

After a relatively quiet eighth, Alex Valdez came on for the Monarchs to attempt to shut down the top of the ninth. His inning uncharacteristically got off to a shaky start, allowing a walk and then a single. Silviano then made it three straight baserunners when he sliced an RBI single to left field, adding one to the lead but also getting himself thrown out at second as he tried for the double. Alec Olund would then drive the nail deeper with another RBI single, bringing the score to 8-5 RedHawks. In the bottom half, the Monarchs would show little signs of life, going down in four batters and sending the West Division Championship Series to a decisive game three.

The Monarchs are back in action for the winner-takes-all rubber match tomorrow night (9/15). The game will start at 6:30 p.m. and 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: Brady Stover (1-0)

LP: Jeremy Rhoades (0-1)

S:  Alex DuBord (1)

 

Boxscore

By: Adam Cook

MONARCHS COMEBACK IN FARGO!

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The moon waited until the eighth inning Monday night in Fargo to rise above the right field wall in North Dakota. The moon got a great view of a ninth inning pinch hit three run blast off the bat of J.C. Escarra. That home run would give the Kansas City Monarchs (3-0) a 5-2 lead and the eventual final score in game one of the West Division Championship Series over the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks (2-2).

The headline going into the game at Newman Outdoor Field was the matchup of a pair of ace lefthanders getting the starting nods for both clubs. The pair did not disappoint. The Monarchs Matt Hall tossed 5.1 innings giving up one unearned run on six hits with nine strikeouts in a no decision. The RedHawks Kevin McGovern went seven innings surrendering one earned run on six hits to also not figure in the decision.

“Kay-see” got on the board in the fourth inning loading the bases with one out off of McGovern. Jan Hernandez and Casey Gillaspie both singled with Pete Kozma drawing a walk. Gio Brusa hit a bouncer to third brining home Jan Hernandez as Brusa raced to first, to beat out a double play chance for the “Fargos”. McGovern would get Alexis Olmeda to ground out to first to get out of the inning with Kansas City leading 1-0.

In the home half of the sixth the RedHawks would tie the game up. Leo Pena reached on an error by Darnell Sweeney at third to start the inning. Hall would strikeout John Silviano then walk Manuel Boscan to put runners at first and second. A wild pitch would move Pena to third for the RedHawks. Alec Olund then singled through the five and six hole to tie the game at one. Evan Alexander reached on an infield single that second baseman Ryan Grotjohn was able to make a diving grab on to keep the go ahead run from scoring but load the bases. Brandon Koch would come in the game and get an infield pop out to second from Sam Dexter, then retire Christian Correa on a fly to left to end the inning and leave the way stations full for the RedHawks.

McGovern would exit after the seventh inning stretch and would see his club grab the lead off the Monarchs pen. Jordan Martinson came in for Koch and got a strikeout of Peter Maris for the first out. Drew Ward would work a walk followed by a single from Leo Pena to put runners at first and second. John Silviano would single home the go ahead run for the RedHawks scoring Ward. Martinson induced Manuel Boscan into an inning ending “pitchers best mate” double play, to leave the game at 2-1 in favor of the RedHawks.

Reid Birlingmair was summoned from the Fargo-Moorhead pen. The Monarchs would muster one hit off the righty but would no score in the top of the eighth frame. Brian Glowicki worked a scoreless bottom of the eighth for Kansas City to take the game into the top of the ninth and set up the heroics of the Monarchs.

Birlingmair would retire Jacob Robson on a ground out to second for the first out. The Monarchs then got back-to-back walks from Jan Hernandez and Casey Gillaspie to put runners at first and second with a wild pitch moving Hernandez to second during the Gillaspie at bat. Joe Jones came into the game for the RedHawks to face Pete Kozma. The Monarchs shortstop, would single back up the box to score Hernandez and tie the game at two. Gio Brusa would strikeout looking for out number two. The Monarchs would turn to J.C. Escarra with two on and two outs. On a one and one count, Escarra would launch a three-run home run deep into the North Dakota night, to give the Monarchs a 5-2 lead.

Alex Valdez would come into the game in the bottom of the ninth for the Monarchs. Valdez with strikeout pinch hitter Ben Livorsi and Peter Maris to get the first two outs of the inning. Drew Ward would single to right but Valdez would get the 27th and final out on a fly ball to center from Leo Pena to notch his second save of the postseason.

Glowicki (1-0) picked up the relief win for the Monarchs, while Birlingmair (0-1) was charged with the loss for the RedHawks. The Monarchs now lead the best of three game series one game to none.

The Monarchs and RedHawks will play game two of the West Division Championship Series Wednesday night (9/14) at 6:30 p.m. at Legends Field in Kansas City. The game can be heard on the Monarchs Broadcast Network with the pre-game beginning 30 minutes before game time 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: Brian Glowicki (1-0)

LP: Reid Birlingmair (0-1)

S: Valdez (2)

Boxscore

SWEEPIN’ WITH SWEENEY!

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The Kansas City Monarchs (2-0) completed the two-game sweep of the Lincoln Saltdogs (0-2) by a score of 8-3 Friday night at Legends Field behind the outstanding night from third baseman Darnell Sweeney. Sweeney was responsible for seven of the eight Monarch runs thanks to a two-run home run and a grand slam.

The second game of the West Division Playoff Series got started in a unique way. After an error and walk got the bottom half of the inning off to a Monarchs-friendly start, Ryan Grotjohn made it even friendlier with an RBI single. Later, Jan Hernandez came to the plate with Darnell Sweeney at third. During the at-bat, Saltdogs catcher Skyler Weber would attempt to pick Sweeney off at third base, but the throw would doink right off of the barrel of Hernandez’ bat and roll towards the home dugout, scoring Sweeney unearned and giving the Monarchs a first inning 2-0 lead.

Monarchs pitcher Jalen Miller would continue his dominance on the mound to this point, still not allowing a baserunner through three. In the bottom of the third, the Monarchs offense would come back alive when Darnell Sweeney would follow up Mallex Smith’s leadoff walk with a 2-run home run, extending the lead to 4-0.

However, the Saltdogs offense wasn’t going to wait around forever. In the top of the fourth, Miller would finally show some cracks, as a pair of home runs – one solo and one two-run – would cut the Kansas City lead to one. That one-run lead felt a little too close for Darnell Sweeney, however, as he added on to his outstanding night with a grand slam, making it a five run lead for the Monarchs, 8-3.

The momentum would continue to sway in the Monarchs’ favor in the top of the fifth when reliever Jordan Martinson would enter on and promptly strike out the side in order. Unfortunately, the momentum wouldn’t amount to much on the offensive side, as the side would be retired despite a walk from J.C. Escarra.

This would be the beginning of a lot of zeros for the rest of the game, as not another run crossed the plate for the remainder of the game, despite there only being one more 1-2-3 inning. Alex Valdez started the top of the ninth on the bump for the Monarchs and allowed two baserunners, but neither would score, sending the Monarchs to the West Division Championship Series with a final score of 8-3.

The Monarchs will begin the Western Division Championship Series Monday night (9/12) on the road against the winner of the Winnipeg Goldeyes and Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks series that is tied at one game apiece. The game can be heard on the Monarchs Broadcast Network with the pre-game beginning 30 minutes before game time 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: Jalen Miller (1-0)

LP: Garett Delano (0-1)

S: N/A

Boxscore

By: Adam Cook

HALL DOMINATES AS MONARCHS WIN

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Matt Hall took the ball for the Kansas City Monarchs (1-0) in game one of the West Division Series and showed why he was named the starting pitcher on the American Association Post Season All-Star team. Hall (1-0) tossed seven innings of one hit shutout baseball as the Monarchs beat the Lincoln Saltdogs (0-1) 5-2 Wednesday night at Haymarket Park in Lincoln. With the win the Monarchs need one more win in the best of three game series to move on to the West Division Championship Series.

The Monarchs got on the board in the first inning with two outs on a solo home run from Ryan Grotjohn off Lincoln ace Greg Minier for a 1-0 lead. From there Minier (0-1) would scatter four hits until the seventh.

The Saltdogs would get a lead off single from Justin Byrd to start the game, but that would be the only hit Matt Hall would allow the rest of the way. After a two out walk in the third inning, Hall would retire the next 13 batters and leave the game after seven. The lefty would strikeout eight in his seven goose egg innings.

In the seventh the Monarchs would finally get to Minier. With one out, Jan Hernandez and Casey Gillaspie drew walks. Gio Brusa hit a smash to the keystone corner that turned into an infield single to load the way stations for Kansas City. Pete Kozma hit another smash to third that would ricochet into foul territory and down the left field line for a double to score two runs. With runners at second and third Lincoln went to right-hander Matt Cronin to take over for Minier. The Monarchs would pick up a run on a passed ball on Skyler Weber and their fifth run on an RBI single from Mallex Smith to give the Monarchs a 5-0 cushion.

Brian Glowicki worked around two base runners in the top of the eighth inning to keep the game 5-0. Jameson McGrane would come into the game in the bottom of the ninth. The righty would allow a lead off single to Justin Byrd, but would strike out Rayder Ascanio for out number one. The Saltdogs would load the bases on a single from Ryan Long and walk for Jason Rogers. Former Sioux City Explorer Nate Samson, knocked in two runs on a single to right to cut the lead to 5-2. The Monarchs would go to the pen and bring Alex Valdez into the game with the tying run at the plate. Valdez would strikeout Josh Altman and get a ground ball to short from Wellington Dotel to force out Sampson at second and preserve the win and pick up his first save of the post season.

The Monarchs will be off on Thursday as the series shifts to Kansas City. Kansas City was the only team of the four road teams to win their first-round game Wednesday night. The win was the 39th win in franchise history in the post season.

The Monarchs will play the second game of the playoff series against the Lincoln Saltdogs Friday night (9/9) at 6:30 p.m at Legends Field in Kansas City. The game can be heard on the Monarchs Broadcast Network with the pre-game beginning at 6:00 pm and the video stream airing on aa baseball.tv.

Tickets to all Monarchs playoff 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: Hall (1-0)

LP: Minier (0-1)

S: Valdez (1)

Boxscore

By: DAN VAUGHAN, JR.

HALL NAMED POST SEASON ALL-STAR

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The Kansas City Monarchs loaded their bus to Lincoln Tuesday to begin their Division Playoff series with newly named American Association Post Season All-Star starting pitcher Matt Hall. It was the second award in two weeks for Hall as he was named the Rawlings Pitcher of the Month last week by the American Association.

The Lee’s Summit, Missouri native went 10-2 this season for the Monarchs in 14 starts with a 1.09 ERA in 82 innings. Hall notched 113 team-leading strikeouts and finished the year with five straight wins for Kansas City. Hall, who also serves as the pitching coach for the club, yielded 10 earned runs and posted the lowest ERA for a single season in franchise history as well as the lowest opponents average against at .197.

The left-hander would have an outstanding August going 5-0 for the month in five starts, tossing five-of-six quality starts and going at least five innings in all of his starting nods. Hall threw 31 innings, giving up just three earned runs with 48 strikeouts. He had three games with at least 10 strikeouts and one on August 20 in Lincoln  where he punched out 12.

Hall was named the Poinstreak 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 and with three consecutive wins, and he would have his contract transferred to the San Francisco Giants on June 12.

Hall returned to the Monarchs on July 14 and allowed just three earned runs in 37 innings with 48 strikeouts while notching six quality starts in seven outings through August 14. He was named the Pitcher of the Week for second time this season for the week ending August 14th.  Hall went 2-0 for the week and tossed 14 scoreless innings, scattering five hits with 18 strikeouts.

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.

This season under Hall’s watch as pitching coach, the Monarchs had the lowest team ERA (4.40) in the league and set a franchise and American Association record for strikeouts (967) in a season.

The Monarchs will play the first game of the playoff series against the Lincoln Saltdogs Wednesday (9/7) 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 6:35 pm and the video stream airing on aa baseball.tv.

Tickets to all Monarchs games including any possible playoff 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.

MONARCHS PLAYOFF BOUND

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The Kansas City Monarchs have announced the game dates and times for the American Association playoffs after an exciting final day of the regular season on Labor Day Monday. The Monarchs clinched a playoff spot back on August 20th but did not know their final seed until completing an 8-5 win over the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks at Legends Field.

The Kansas City Monarchs will begin the 2022 playoffs Wednesday September 7 at 7:05 pm at Haymarket Park in Lincoln, Nebraska against the Lincoln Saltdogs. The best-of-three Division Series will shift to Kansas City on Friday September 9 with a first pitch of 6:30 pm at Legends Field in Kansas City. If necessary, a game three would be played Saturday night September 10 at 6:00 pm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The matchup features the two hottest teams in the American Association. The Saltdogs come into the post season on a roll, needing to win their last three games at Sioux City to claim the final playoff spot in the American Association. Lincoln closed the season going 8-2. Kansas City also dropped their first game of a four-game series over the Labor Day weekend then roared back to win the last three to overtake Fargo-Moorhead on the season’s final day, grabbing the #1 seed in the playoffs. The Monarchs finished going 9-1 over their last 10 games, including a perfect 6-0 road trip.

The Monarchs finished with the best record in the American Association at 65-35 while Lincoln would go 49-51 in 2022. The two teams met 12 times this season with the Monarchs holding at 9-3 with a 4-2 record at Lincoln.

The Monarchs will play the first game of the playoff series against the Lincoln Saltdogs    Wednesday (9/7) 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 6:35 pm and the video stream airing on aa baseball.tv.

 

Tickets to all Monarchs playoff 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.

 

LISTEN TO ALL MONARCHS GAMES LIVE ON THE MONARCHS BROADCAST NETWORK

 

By: Dan Vaughan, Jr.

MONARCHS CLAIM DIVISION TITLE

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Both the Kansas City Monarchs (65-35) and the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks (64-36) and came to Legends Field Labor Day Monday with plans to take home the American Association West Division title on the final day of the regular season. It was the Monarchs who would take home the regular season’s top reward with a hard fought 8-5 win in game number 100.

With Nick Belzer getting the start on the mound for the Monarchs and Trevor Simms for the RedHawks, both teams had scoreless first innings. It nearly did not stay that way in the top of the second, when Dylan Harris made a leaping grab at the left field bullpen fence to bring the ball back in and rob Alec Olund of a home run.

In the home half of the second inning, JC Escarra started the Monarchs’ offense going with a double, followed by a single by Pete Kozma that carried JC Escarra to third. Dylan Harris followed is highlight reel play with a RBI single to score JC Escarra to give the Monarchs the first lead of the game, 1-0.

Nick Novak singled, starting the RedHawk’s offense in the top of the fifth, advancing to second on a stolen base. Peter Maris followed with a single that scored Novak, putting the RedHawk’s on the board and tying the game, 1-1.

Dylan Harris opened the fifth inning with a triple crushed out to center field. Darnell Sweeney followed with a single, Ryan Grotjohn followed by a huge double off the Price Chopper wall that scored both Harris and Sweeney, making the lead 3-1.

In the top of the sixth, Leo Pena advanced to first on a single, followed by a John Siliviano home run to tie the game at 3-3.

Christian Correa opened the seventh inning by advancing to first on a hit by a pitch by reliever Jordan Martinson, followed by a Peter Maris double. Manuel Boscan advanced to first on an error by Casey Gillaspie, scoring Christian Correa and securing the first lead of the game for Fargo-Moorhead. A base hit by Drew Ward scored Maris, adding to the Fargo lead, 5-3. The Monarchs brought in Brandon Koch to relieve Martinson, and he got out of the inning without any more RedHawks crossing home plate.

The home half of the seventh inning proved explosive for the Monarchs’ offense. Following the seventh inning stretch with Buck O’Neil, Joe Jones took over the on the mound for the “Fargos” as Ryan Grotjohn restarted the offense for the Monarchs with a lead-off walk. Jacob Robson then crushed a towering shot over Home Run Patio to tie the game at 5-5. Jan Hernandez advanced to first base after a hit by a pitch, and both JC Escarra and Dylan Harris earned free passes to first. Mallex Smith also walked, scoring Hernandez and grabbing the lead back for the Monarchs, 6-5. Fargo summoned Tanner Riley into the game. Darnell Sweeney hit a line drive to center, scoring Escarra and Harris and increasing the Monarchs lead to 8-5.

Brandon Koch stayed on the mound for the Monarchs as Alec Olund walked to start the eighth. Rymer Liriano singled to first, followed by a Nick Novak walk that Brandon Koch argued, leading to his ejection from the game. Pitcher Alex Valdez came in to relieve Koch. Valdez struck out Christian Correa and a double play ball ended the RedHawks threat, and the inning ended with an 8-5 lead.

Valdez would work a three up and three down top of the ninth inning to give the Monarchs their 65th win and claim their third straight American Association regular season division title. Kansas City finished the regular season with the league’s best record and a season high 30 games above .500.  The Monarchs began August with a 1-5 road trip but rebounded to finish 19-5 over their final 24 games.

The Monarchs will play the first game of the American Association Divisional Playoff series against the Lincoln Saltdogs Wednesday (9/7) 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 6:35pm and the video stream airing on aa baseball.tv.

The Monarchs are scheduled to play games two and three (if necessary) at home at Legends Field in Kansas City on Friday (9/9) and Saturday (9/10) with the first pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

Tickets to all Monarchs playoff 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: Koch (3-3)

LP: Jones(4-3)

S: Valdez (3)

Boxscore

By: GMW Vaughan

MONARCHS INCH CLOSER TO TITLE

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In a high stakes game for the Kansas City Monarchs (64-35) and the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks (64-35), they both came to Legends Field ready to fulfill their postseason dreams as both team’s standings depended on the outcome of Sunday’s game. With Matt Hartman starting on the mound for the Monarchs and Tyler Grauer for the RedHawks, the Monarchs showed their hunger for another crown as they kept Fargo-Moorhead from clinching the division title, ending the game tied for first place in the division, winning the game 12-3.

A walk for Dylan Harris got the offense off to a start in the third inning. Mallex Smith followed with a single, adding to the offensive momentum. After a wild pitch got away from catcher Christian Correa, Dylan Harris and Mallex Smith moved to second and third, and fans were feeling the energy. Darnell Sweeney then walked, loading the bases as Ryan Grotjohn stepped up and knocked a triple that wiped the bases clean, putting the Monarchs on top 3-0. After a sac fly from Jacob Robson, Grotjohn raced home, and the Monarchs ended the inning with a commanding lead, 4-0.

The fifth inning once again saw the Monarchs’ offense take a bite out of the RedHawks. Mallex Smith started off with a double off Home Run Patio wall. Darnell Sweeney followed with a single and quickly advanced to second on a wild pitch. Ryan Grotjohn stepped up and cranked another bit hit—a double—that scored both Mallex Smith and Darnell Sweeney. After a walk for Jacob Robson, Jan Hernandez crushed a home run over Home Run Patio, scoring Ryan Grotjohn, Jacob Robson and Jan Hernandez, giving the Monarchs a monstrous lead, 9-0, and highlighting the grit of a Monarchs team hungry for a division title.

Fargo decided not to give the Monarchs the shut out they hoped for as Novak hit a solo home run off Jeremy Rhoades who came in after a quality start for pitcher Matt Hartman who had eight strikeouts before he left the mound, but the Monarchs defense kept the RedHawks from further damage, heading into the seventh inning stretch with a 9-1 lead.

In the home half of the seventh, Jacob Robson started off with a walk off Alec Olund, followed by another for Jan Hernandez. Casey Gillaspie got a single that loaded the bases. J.C. Escarra followed with a base hit that scored Jacob Robson. A sac fly by Pete Kozma scored Jan Hernandez, and the Monarchs closed out the inning up 11-1 over the “Fargos”.

Ryan Grotjohn started the inning with a walk off Evan Alexander, followed by a single from Jacob Robson. Jan Hernandez followed with another walk, loading the bases for Casey Gillaspie who also walked, scoring Ryan Grotjohn and increasing the Monarchs lead, 12-1.

Frank Rubio came in to close the game in the top of the ninth, and the “Fargos” would not go gentle into that good night. Alec Olund started off with a base hit, followed by Evan Alexander who advanced to first on a fielder’s choice. Nick Novak got a base hit off a ball that got passed Darnell Sweeney at third base, loading the bases. Ben Livorsi then got a base hit scoring both Alec Olund and Evan Alexander, making the score 12-3. But Frank Rubio and the Monarchs defense kept the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks from clinching the division title, tying them for first place. The pivotal game starting tomorrow at 1:00pm.

The Monarchs will play the final game of this four-game series against Fargo-Moorhead tomorrow (9/5) at 1:00 p.m. The final game of this series will determine the winner of the division and what team the Monarchs will face in round one of the playoffs. The division-deciding 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 playoff 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

LP: Tyler Grauer

S: N/A

Boxscore

BY: GMW Vaughan

RECORD-SETTING LONG BALLS GET WIN

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The Kansas City Monarchs (63-35) dialed up a pair of home runs and rode a solid outing from starter Jalen Miller (2-0) to take a 3-2 win in game two of the four-game series over the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks (64-34).

The Monarchs used the long ball right off the bat in the first inning. Mallex Smith singled to start the game off lefty hurler Peyton Wigginton (9-3). Then, with two outs, Jacob Robson hit his eighth homer of the season to center to give “kay-see” a 2-0 lead. The home run tied the franchise mark for home runs in a season at 162.

In the home half of the fifth, Alexis Olmeda hit a solo home run to right his seventh to give the Monarchs a 3-0 lead and to set a new franchise single-season record. The Monarchs old record came in 2010 when the club played in the Northern League.

Jalen Miller would surrender just two hits in 5.1, but the RedHawks would work six walks on the evening. Miller added six strikeouts and would exit in the sixth with one out.  The right hander got stronger as the game went on, and in the fourth and fifth inning he would walk the lead-off batter then retire the next three batters to keep the “Fargos” at bay.

In the sixth Joran Martinson came into the game with one on and one out. Rymer Liriano would single but was retired trying to stretch the single to a double on an outfield assist from Mallex Smith. Martinson would get the final out on a fly out off the bat of Alec Olund to keep the Monarchs in the lead at 3-0.

Fargo-Moorhead would cut into the Kansas City lead in the top of the seventh. Martinson would strikeout Nick Novak but hit Christian Correa with a pitch. Peter Maris followed with an infield single to put two on for the RedHawks. Martinson would strikeout Manuel Boscan but would hit Drew Ward to load the bases. Leo Pena would hit a single to drive in two runs, but Martinson would get John Silviano to fly out to center to end the stanza.

Brandon Koch worked a 1-2-3 eighth including two strikeouts to take the game to the top of the ninth. Alex Valdez would strikeout pinch hitter Ben Livorsi but issue a free pass to Peter Maris. Manuel Boscan hit into a fielder’s choice forcing out Maris at second for the second out of the inning. Valdez would strikeout Drew Ward looking to earn the save (2) in a 3-2 Monarchs win.

The win pulled the Monarchs to one game behind the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks for the West Division lead in the American Association with two games to play. The RedHawks magic number to win the west is two. The RedHawks will clinch the division crown with one more win while the Monarchs will need to win the last two games to claim their third regular season division title in a row.

Both teams are playoff bound and will face off in game three of the four-game series Sunday afternoon (9/4) at Legends Field in Kansas City with a first pitch set for 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 regular season and playoff 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: Miller (2-0)

LP: Wigginton (9-3)

Save: Valdez (2)

Boxscore