Monarchs Drop Second Game in Lincoln

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LINCOLN, Neb. – The Kansas City Monarchs power bats and relievers stood out on Wednesday night, but it wasn’t enough to secure a series win.

The Monarchs dropped the second game of their three-game set at Haymarket Park. The Lincoln Saltdogs used five unanswered runs to race past the Monarchs, 7-3.

Two Monarchs went yard, including Isiah Gilliam’s league-leading fifth home run. Alvaro Gonzalez added his second bomb of the season. Kansas City is now up to 21 home runs this season, tied for the most in the American Association.

The Kansas City (8-3) bullpen put in a brilliant shift to keep the game within reach. Blake Goldsberry, Jake Brentz and Tyler McKay combined for 3.1 scoreless innings.

Brentz struck out the side in his frame..

Lincoln’s (3-8) bats proved too much. The Saltdogs delivered five unanswered runs to overturn the Monarchs’ solid start.

Outfielder Danny Bautista Jr. delivered a bases-clearing triple in the fourth inning. Brody Fahr singled on the next pitch to increase the Lincoln lead to 6-3.

A Monarchs error in the fifth inning extended the Saltdog lead to 7-3.

UP NEXT

The Monarchs finish out their series with the Saltdogs Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. Jackson Goddard starts for Kansas City against Lincoln’s Nate Blain. Tune in live to the action on The Bet KC 1660 AM or AA Baseball TV.

 

Monarchs Rally for Barn Burner Victory

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LINCOLN, Neb. – The Kansas City Monarchs took a game of the year contender in the American Association on a windy, wild day in Nebraska.

The Monarchs scored 11 unanswered runs for their largest comeback win of the season. Kansas City stunned the Lincoln Saltdogs 16-12 at Haymarket Park. The game featured 30 hits and eight home runs.

Kansas City belted five of those homers, two from former Kansas City Royal Jorge Bonifacio. Robbie Glendinning, Jaylyn Williams and Josh Bissonette also went yard in the victory.

KC (8-2) had to overcome a vibrant start from the Saltdogs. Lincoln jumped out to an 8-4 lead thanks to a pair of home runs by Kyle Battle.

The Saltdogs (2-8) plated two more in the fourth inning to make it 10-5.

The Monarchs stormed back with nine runs in the fifth and sixth innings. The Monarchs took the lead on a go-ahead single by Robbie Glendinning in the sixth to make it 11-10. Glendinning delivered a season-high five RBIs in the comeback.

Williams capped off the sixth inning with a two-run opposite field jack to make it 14-10.

Bonifacio’s second bomb, a two-run shot to left in the seventh, settled the scoring for good.

The designated hitter finished three-for-five with four RBIs in the victory.

Leam Mendez (1-0) earned his first Kansas City win with two scoreless innings. Junior Cerda delivered his first save by posting the final nine outs.

UP NEXT
The Monarchs continue their series from Haymarket Park on Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. Josh Hendrickson gets the ball for Kansas City against Lincoln’s Karan Patel. Tune in live to the action on The Bet KC 1660 AM or AA Baseball TV.

Leitch’s Homer Lifts Monarchs To Series Win

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa — A five-run ninth inning powered the Kansas City Monarchs to a 7-3 rubber-game victory over the Sioux City Explorers Sunday afternoon from Lewis and Clark Park.

Ryan Leitch broke a 2-2 deadlock with a two-run home run, kicking off a five-run ninth inning that sealed the win for Kansas City.

The Monarchs (7-2) take over the best record in the American Association with the victory.

Daniel Martinez spun five solid innings for the Monarchs, allowing two runs on four hits. He struck out seven without walking a batter.

The Monarchs took the early lead on a second-inning RBI single from Lázaro Armenteros in his first at-bat with the club. The former top prospect was activated before Sunday’s game.

Sioux City’s Torin Montgomery launched a two-run homer off Martinez to give the X’s the lead in the bottom half of the second.

The Monarchs tied the game in the fourth on a sacrifice fly from Leitch.

The game stayed deadlocked at 2-2 until the ninth inning. Sioux City starter Joey Murray went five innings, allowing two runs on three hits.

Leitch’s ninth-inning homer off Jeremy Goins made it 4-2 Kansas City. Robbie Glendinning knocked an RBI single for the Monarchs’ fifth run, then induced a rundown and an errant throw that allowed Peyton Holt to score a sixth.

Jhailyn Ortiz drove Glendinning in with an RBI single for the Monarchs’ final run.

Abdiel Layer hit a solo homer for Sioux City in the bottom of the ninth, but the Monarchs’ lead was too big to overcome.

UP NEXT

The Monarchs are off Monday before starting a three-game series with the Lincoln Saltdogs Tuesday through Thursday from Haymarket Park. First pitch of Tuesday’s game is scheduled for 11:05 a.m. Fans can hear the game on The Bet KC 1660 AM and the Audacy app.

Monarchs Pitchers Shine In Doubleheader Split

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa — Julian Garcia and Ashton Goudeau both spun gems for the Kansas City Monarchs, who walked away with a Saturday doubleheader split against the Sioux City Explorers.

Kansas City (6-2) hung on for a 3-2 win in the opener. The Explorers (6-3) earned a walk-off 1-0 victory in the nightcap on a game-ending single from Nick Shumpert.

Garcia collected the win in the opening game, tossing six innings of one-run ball and striking out a season-high 11.

Sioux City scored first on an RBI bloop single from Luis Toribio, but Robbie Glendinning gave the Monarchs the lead for good with a two-run single in the sixth. Glendinning reached base five times in six plate appearances across the doubleheader.

A Jorge Bonifacio sacrifice fly provided key insurance for the Monarchs in the seventh and final inning of the opening game. Sioux City scored a run on a ground ball in the bottom half.

With the bases loaded and none out, Jake Brentz came in for the Monarchs. He struck out the first two hitters he faced on high-90s fastballs, and got Abdiel Layer to fly out to right to seal the win.

Goudeau was brilliant in the nightcap, allowing six hits and one walk with three strikeouts in 6.1 innings.

The Monarchs could not manage a run against Sioux City starter Jared Wetherbee, who struck out nine over six shutout innings.

With the game still scoreless heading into the bottom of seventh and final frame, Explorers left fielder Henry George hit a stand-up double to put the winning run in scoring position.

Shumpert singled to right field, where Jorge Bonifacio came up throwing. George just managed to get under the tag of catcher Ryan Leitch to score the winning run.

UP NEXT

The rubber game of the three-game series is set for Sunday afternoon at 4:05 p.m. Daniel Martinez will start for the Monarchs against Sioux City’s Joey Murray. Fans can hear every Monarchs road game on The Bet KC 1660 AM and the Audacy app.

Monarchs Upended In Series Finale

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The Kansas City Monarchs’ five-game winning streak came to an end after six Winnipeg Goldeyes home runs.

The Monarchs were unable to finish the sweep on Thursday night in a 10-3 defeat at Legends Field.

Kansas City (5-1) rallied in the middle frames with another multi-home run performance. Peyton Holt demolished a 432-foot bomb to left-center field, cutting the Goldeyes lead to 3-2. Holt extended his on-base streak to five with a 2-for-4 performance.

Alvaro Gonzalez evened the game with a solo shot in the fourth inning. The Monarchs’ third baseman became the eighth different individual to homer for KC in 2025. Gonzalez delivered his first multi-hit game on Thursday night, 2-for-3 with a walk.

The Goldeyes (2-5) pulled away with four solo home runs over the next two innings. Ramon Bramasco and Max Murphy posted home runs in the fifth inning for a 5-3 lead.

Tanner O’Tremba and Evan Alexander started the sixth inning with back-to-back jacks to give the Goldeyes a 7-3 lead. Ray-Patrick Didder cemented the win with a two-run homer in the eighth.

Alexander added the exclamation point in the ninth inning with a sixth solo blast for the 10-3 final.

UP NEXT
Kansas City opens its road schedule with a trip to Lewis and Clark Park against the Sioux City Explorers. RHP Julian Garcia gets the ball against Zach Willeman. First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m.



Josh Bortka

KC Native Bortka Signs With Twins

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Josh Bortka

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Josh Bortka is going from his hometown team to affiliated baseball. 

The hard-throwing Kansas City Monarchs right-hander has had his contract transferred to the Minnesota Twins organization, the club announced Thursday. Bortka will report to Single-A Fort Myers in the Florida State League. 

The 25-year-old made one appearance with the Monarchs in 2025, tossing 1.2 hitless innings and striking out two on Sunday against Lincoln at Legends Field. 

“We couldn’t be happier for Josh Bortka,” Monarchs manager Joe Calfapietra said. “He’s an outstanding pitcher who took full advantage of his opportunity with us. We know he’s going to make the most of his time in affiliated ball.”

Bortka is the second Monarchs player to sign with an affiliated team this season. First baseman Matt Higgins, who played in spring training with the Monarchs, was signed by the Phillies before Opening Night. The Monarchs are undefeated to start the 2025 season.

Since Calfapietra arrived with the team in 2017, the Monarchs have had more players signed by affiliated teams than any other American Association club.

“It’s a great feeling,” Calfapietra said. “We’re super excited as an organization to continue what we feel is a great track record. We still feel a lot of our guys are deserving of affiliated opportunities. We’re going to keep working hard.”

Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Bortka attended Turner High School in Kansas City, Kansas. He played college ball at Cowley College and Metropolitan CC – Longview before finishing his amateur career at Central Missouri in 2022.

Bortka made his pro debut with the State College Spikes of the MLB Draft League in 2022 before signing with the Phillies organization later that year. He reached Single-A with the Phillies in 2022, 2023 and 2024, posting a 4.95 ERA across 56 affiliated games.

The Monarchs (5-0) continue their 2025 season Thursday night against the Winnipeg Goldeyes at Legends Field. First pitch is at 6:35 p.m. Fans can find the team roster, ticket information and more at MonarchsBaseball.com.

Monarchs Tattoo Three Homers in Wednesday Win

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Home run fever at Legends Field continued Wednesday night.

The Kansas City Monarchs used bombs from Ryan Leitch, Ross Adolph and Isiah Gilliam to top the Winnipeg Goldeyes 8-7. The Monarchs improve to 5-0 on the young season.​

The Monarchs now lead the American Association with 11 long balls.

Leitch started the party with his first tank of the season. The catcher sent a high-flyer to the Home Run Patio wall to make it 3-0 Monarchs in the second inning.

“It felt pretty good. I’ve been trying to get on time with the fastball,” Leitch said. “I was ambushing the fastball, they threw it to me and I hit it hard.”

Ross Adolph added to the fun three pitches later. The Monarchs’ returning home run hitter uncorked a 410-foot moonshot to right field to give KC a 4-0 lead. It was the second time that Kansas City had recorded back-to-back home runs in 2025.

Josh Hendrickson was lights-out in his return to professional baseball. The former Philadelphia Phillies product put together five innings of one-run ball.

“He’s always a guy I’ve wanted to catch,” Leitch said. “He locates all five pitches for strikes.”

Winnipeg’s lone run off KC’s starter was a solo shot by second baseman Ray-Patrick Didder.

Leitch posted his fourth RBI to make it a 5-1 lead. The 23-year-old pummeled a 104-mph single to plate Jhailyn Ortiz in the fifth inning.

“I’m trying to do everything for the team. It’s a team game,” Leitch said. 

Winnipeg (1-5) pulled back into it late. Two throwing errors in the seventh inning cut the KC advantage to 5-4. 

Reliever Connor Holden was nails late. The right-hander stranded the tying run at third base in that same frame and struck out the side in the eighth.

Gilliam came up with another clutch moment in the opening week. The Monarchs cleanup batter demolished a three-run dinger to extend the lead to 8-4.

The blast travelled 418 feet to the deepest part of Legends Field.

Winnipeg rallied late to bring the tying run to the plate. Didder’s second tater got the Goldeyes within one, but Tyler McKay fanned Max Murphy to seal a fifth consecutive win.

UP NEXT

Kansas City finishes its six-game home stand against Winnipeg tomorrow at 6:35 p.m. Returning Monarch Jackson Goddard will start against the Goldeyes’ southpaw Mitchell Lambson. Tickets are available at monarchsbaseball.com.

Monarchs Overcome Early Deficit, Earn Fourth Straight Win

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Josh Bissonette and the Kansas City Monarchs rallied back again.

Bissonette’s solo home run helped the Monarchs to a thrilling 5-4 win over the Winnipeg Goldeyes on Tuesday night at Legends Field. KC scored five unanswered runs in the middle innings to post its fourth consecutive win.

Whenever we go down early, we don’t ever think we’re out of it,” Bissonette said. “We have one of the best lineups [in the league].”

Bissonette sparked that lineup with a 2-for-3 performance. The shortstop sailed a solo shot out in the third inning to bring the Monarchs within a run. The homer was a much-needed response after a two-run first inning from the Goldeyes.

“It felt really good,” Bissonette said. “I’ve been working extra with [hitting coach Christian Colón]. I’m trying to add some value to my game.”

Robbie Glendinning demolished Kansas City’s longest home run of the season one inning later. The Australian boomed a two-run home run to put the Monarchs (4-0) in front, 3-2. The blast measured 448 feet to left-center field.

“I see him do it every day, so I wasn’t really surprised,” Bissonette said. “It’s always good to see him get his swing off.”

Starter Patrick Pridgen (1-0) responded brilliantly to the early Winnipeg pair. The right-hander recorded four consecutive scoreless innings with four strikeouts to finish his Kansas City debut.

The Monarchs plated two more runs in the sixth inning. Jhailyn Ortiz and Jaylyn Williams notched RBIs on back-to-back pitches to extend the lead to 5-2.

Winnipeg (1-3) battled back in the eighth inning. Tanner O’Tremba lofted a two-run single to reduce the lead to one, but former Royal Jake Brentz struck out Jake Gunther to prevent further damage.

Former Philadelphia Phillies prospect Tyler McKay posted his first save as a Monarch with a 1-2-3 ninth inning.

UP NEXT
Kansas City hosts its first Winning Wednesday, presented by DM Law, tomorrow against the Goldeyes. Josh Hendrickson gets the ball for KC against Winnipeg’s J.J. Echevarria. First pitch is set for 6:35, tickets are available at monarchsbaseball.com.



Bonifacio’s Heroics Walk Off Saltdogs

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. – It came down to mere inches.

Jorge Bonifacio and the Kansas City Monarchs got over the line to secure their first walk-off winner of the 2025 season.

Bonifacio placed an RBI base hit fractionally fair down the left-field line to drive in the winning run in the 12th inning. Kansas City erased three separate deficits to top Lincoln Saltdogs, 4-3, securing a weekend sweep at Legends Field.

The former Kansas City Royals outfielder lifted a 1-2 breaking ball that left fielder Yusniel Diaz chased to the corner. KC’s dugout ignited, but the celebrations were quelled.

The initial ruling was a foul ball, but following a conversation between field umpires, the right decision was made.

And bedlam broke out.

“I knew we were going to win if that bounced in,” Bonifacio said, moments before pitching coach Matt Hall splashed him with a water bottle. Reliever Tyler McKay followed up with a deserved Gatorade bath for the game’s hero.

The Monarchs had to stay cool throughout. Lincoln took leads in the fifth, eighth and 11th innings, but Kansas City had the perfect response each time.  

“We never failed,” Bonifacio said. “We got every chance to win the ball game. We got the base hit and we [won] the series.”

Ross Adolph delivered a tying double in the bottom of the fifth. Kansas City executed a perfect hit-and-run to plate Peyton Holt all the way from first base to tie the game at 1.

Jaylyn Williams struck back after a go-ahead error to equalize in the eighth. The Greenville, Mississippi-native torched an automatic double to the right-center field alley to score Isiah Gilliam tying the game at two. 

The Monarchs loaded the bases with one out in the ninth, but failed to score, sending the game to extra innings. 

After both teams put up zeros in the 10th, Lincoln snatched a 3-2 lead back in the top of the 11th with a long RBI single by Rolando Espinosa.

With the Monarchs down to their final out, Alvaro Gonzalez laced an automatic double to right-center field to tie the game at three. 

The two-bagger moved Adolph to third base. Bonifacio did the rest to secure the series sweep.

“It feels amazing,” Bonifacio said. “The fans were great all weekend.”

Over 9,000 fans attended Legends Field during Opening Weekend.

UP NEXT

The Monarchs continue their six-game home stand on Tuesday against the Winnipeg Goldeyes. First pitch is slated for 6:35 p.m.



Gilliam’s Dominant Night Leads Monarchs to Series Win

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Isiah Gilliam has started 2025 as a man on a mission.

Gilliam starred with a two-home run Saturday night. The Kansas City Monarchs raced past the Lincoln Saltdogs, 9-3, to secure their first series win of the season.

The cleanup batter now paces the Monarchs with three home runs and 7 RBI’s to begin the season.

“I’ve been trying to take it pitch-by-pitch,” Gilliam said. “Just trying to dominate the strike zone.”

Gilliam picked up right where he left off on Friday night. The right fielder demolished a two-run home run onto the Home Run Patio to give Kansas City a 2-0 lead in the first.

The homer was Gilliam’s second opposite field bomb of the series.

“For me, it’s just about timing,” Gilliam said. “I want to hit it flush with a lot of backspin.”

Monarchs starter Ashton Goudeau returned to Legends Field with another masterful outing. The former major leaguer posted five scoreless innings to earn the win in his 2025 debut.

Former MLB bat Jorge Bonifacio demolished another Kansas City (2-0) grand slam to blow the game open. Bonifacio belted a no-doubt salami to left-center field to unload the bases to bloom the Monarchs’ lead to 7-0.
“I mean, that’s a KC legend right there,” Gilliam said about Bonifacio. “I’m honored to be hitting behind him. He’s taught me a few things already. When a guy like him talks to you about hitting, you better lock in.”

Gilliam stole the show right back. Two pitches later, in fact.

The former Seattle Mariners prospect demolished a tape-measure shot on top of Home Run Hill to make it 8-0. It was his third consecutive at-bat with a home run.
“That might be a first for me, in my career,” Gilliam said.

Josh Bissonette added on with an RBI single in the fourth inning. Bissonette smashed a fastball right back up the middle to make it 9-0 Monarchs.

Lincoln (0-2) got on the board with a three-run sixth inning, including a solo home run from Spencer Henson.

Relievers Liam Mendez, Jeff Hakanson, and Sean Rackoski hurled the final 3.1 innings for Kansas City to stall the Saltdogs’ bats.

UP NEXT

The Monarchs go for the sweep against the Saltdogs tomorrow afternoon for a Sunday Matinee at 1:05 P.M. Daniel Martinez will start for Kansas City against Lincoln’s Johnny Ray. Tickets for Bluey Day are available at Monarchsbaseball.com.