Williams’ Late Surge Not Enough

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The Kansas City Monarchs dropped their rubber game on Thursday night against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, 9-6, at Legends Field.

Infielder Jaylyn Williams put together his best game of the season. The Monarchs’ second baseman inspired a late-innings comeback with a season-high five RBIs.

Williams clubbed the Monarchs’ (20-9) third grand slam of the season in the eighth inning to cut the RedHawks’ lead to three.

The Monarchs brought the tying run on deck in the ninth inning.

RedHawks’ (17-14) starter Tyler Jandron (2-1) kept the Monarchs’ bats in check. The southpaw hurled seven innings of one-run ball to keep Kansas City quiet.

Monarchs’ starter Daniel Martinez (2-2) got off to a stellar start. The Monarchs’ right-hander shook off a first-inning run with three consecutive scoreless innings in the second, third and fourth innings.

The right-hander delivered seven strikeouts across 4.2 innings.

Fargo-Moorhead’s power proved too much in the middle innings. The RedHawks blew the game open with a Juan Fernandez grand slam in the fifth inning.

Alexfri Planez pummeled a two-run home run to make it 9-0 in the seventh inning.

UP NEXT

The Monarchs welcome the Milwaukee Milkmen for a three-game weekend series. First pitch for a Fireworks Friday is set for 6:35 pm.

Monarchs Complete Comeback Against RedHawks

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Three former major leaguers ignited a four-run comeback for the Kansas City Monarchs.

John Nogowski, Jorge Bonifacio and Blake Rutherford helped bring the Monarchs back from a 4-0 deficit to down the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, 5-4, at Legends Field on Kids Camp Day.

4,614 young fans watched KC score five unanswered for their largest comeback win this season. 

Isiah Gilliam’s go-ahead solo home run in the seventh inning completed the comeback.

“It’s almost expected at this point,” Rutherford said. “Everyone was excited for him in the dugout.”

Gilliam is up to 10 home runs this season, tied for second-most in the American Association.

Rutherford continued his strong resurgence back with Kansas City with a 2-for-3 day.

“I’ve been looking to get a good pitch to hit and get a good swing on it,” Rutherford said. “We have a lot of really good hitters in this lineup. I’m just trying to give it to the next guy.”

Fargo-Moorhead surged to an early 4-0 lead, including back-to-back home runs in the first inning from Juan Fernandez and Robert Perez Jr. 

The Monarchs remained composed in a hot summer day to score four runs in the fourth inning.

The Monarchs pounded with four hits in five pitches. Rutherford and Robbie Glendinning posted RBI doubles to trim the lead to 4-3.

Jaylyn Williams lifted an RBI single to tie the game in the fourth.

“We have a good team here, we were just trying to put together good at-bats,” Rutherford said. “Our pitchers made pitches and we were able to come back.”

The Monarchs’ pitching was brilliant to keep the game within reach. Jackson Goddard finished an up-and-down day with his eighth strikeout of the day.

Goddard delivered a season-high in K’s on Wednesday.

Patrick Pridgen and Hunter McMahon combined for three consecutive scoreless innings from the fifth to the seventh.

Gilliam’s home run teed up the back-end relievers to finish the job.

Blake Goldsberry struck out two in a scoreless eighth inning. Tyler McKay (6) dealt a 1-2-3 ninth inning to seal the win.

“Our bullpen’s loaded,” Rutherford said. “We’re just trying to score runs and let them do their job.”

UP NEXT

The Monarchs and RedHawks play a rubber game on Thursday night at 6:35 pm. Daniel Martinez will start for Kansas City against Fargo-Moorhead’s Tyler Jandron. Tickets are available at MonarchsBaseball.com.



Jhailyn Ortiz

Jhailyn Ortiz Moves On To Mexican League

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Jhailyn Ortiz

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — One of the Kansas City Monarchs’ hardest hitters is moving on to the Mexican League. 

First baseman and outfielder Jhailyn Ortiz has had his contract transferred to Acereros de Monclova, the Monarchs announced Wednesday. 

Ortiz, 26, was in his second season with Kansas City in 2025. The right-handed hitter blasted three home runs and four doubles in 22 games with the Monarchs. 

The Dominican Republic native finished his time in Kansas City on a hot streak, hitting .318 with two homers and eight runs scored over his final 10 games. 

“With how instrumental Jhailyn has been over the last two years, as a player and a person, it’s really gratifying, for him and for us as an organization.” Monarchs manager Joe Calfapietra said. “We’re very excited that Jhailyn is getting this opportunity.”

Ortiz is the fourth 2025 Monarch to have his contract transferred to another organization, and the first to leave for the Mexican League. The other three left for affiliated organizations, including Matt Higgins (Phillies), Josh Bortka (Twins) and Peyton Holt (Reds). 

“We’re very excited for the players getting these opportunities, and we hope that it continues,” Calfapietra said. “They’re helping us win baseball games while they’re here, and we as an organization are working very hard to help them better themselves in the game of baseball.”

The Monarchs (19-8) hold the best record in the 12-team American Association. They continue a six-game homestand this week, with Jurassic Ballpark Night scheduled for Saturday, June 14 at 6:35 p.m. Fans can find tickets at MonarchsBaseball.com.

Rutherford Homers in Legends Field Return

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Blake Rutherford got right back to business at Legends Field. The former major leaguer lifted his first home run back with the Kansas City Monarchs, but it wasn’t enough in an 8-3 loss to the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks.

Rutherford blasted a first-pitch fastball 385 feet to right field in the sixth inning. His two-run home run was Kansas City’s 40th round-tripper of the season.

The RedHawks struck early and never looked back. Fargo-Moorhead (16-13) took a first-inning lead off a Juan Fernandez RBI single and led throughout.

Fernandez piled 3 RBIs in the victory.

Jaylyn Williams seemed to carve a way back in for Kansas City (19-8). The infielder lobbed an RBI single in the fourth inning to cut the RedHawks’ lead to 3-1.

The RedHawks poured in four runs over the next two frames, including a two-run home run by Peter Brookshaw in the sixth inning.

Ashton Goudeau (2-3) was hung for the loss. The right-hander allowed five earned runs in five innings of work.

UP NEXT

The Monarchs and RedHawks continue their three-game series on Wednesday morning. First pitch is scheduled for 11:05 am for Camp Day at Legends Field.

 

Josh Hendrickson

Hendrickson’s 15-Strikeout Gem Leads Monarchs To Victory

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Josh Hendrickson

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — A 15-strikeout masterpiece from Josh Hendrickson led the Kansas City Monarchs to a dominant 9-0 victory over the Winnipeg Goldeyes Saturday night from Blue Cross Park.

Hendrickson threw six no-hit innings, walking three batters. His 15 punchouts are the most by any pitcher in the American Association this season (the previous high was 12). At one point he struck out eight Goldeyes in a row.

“It’s a lot of fun, having five pitches working for strikes,” Hendrickson said. “It makes baseball a fun game.”

BOX SCORE

Isiah Gilliam and Ross Adolph both homered for Kansas City. Alvaro Gonzalez and John Nogowski contributed two-run hits in a five-run fifth that put the game out of reach.

Jorge Bonifacio delivered a first-inning RBI double and Josh Bissonette reached base four times for the Monarchs (19-7), who keep the best record in the Association.

Kansas City had a no-hitter through seven innings before Winnipeg’s Keshawn Lynch broke up the no-no with a single to lead off the eighth.

It’s the Monarchs’ second shutout win of the season. The first was also a Hendrickson start, against Sioux City on May 27.

The Perth, Australia native credited catcher Joshuan Sandoval for his work behind home plate Saturday.

“He calls a good game; he’s smart back there,” Hendrickson said. “He can read swings and he knows what pitches to throw in what situations.”

Hendrickson’s 15 strikeouts was a new career high, passing a 14-strikeout performance in collegiate summer ball with the Portland Pickles.

The Monarchs will go for a sweep against Winnipeg Sunday afternoon.

“We’ve got a great team.” Hendrickson said. “Everyone knows their role and can execute. It’s freeing. You can be yourself, you can have fun, and just go out there and play a game.”

UP NEXT

Kansas City ace of staff Julian Garcia will start Sunday’s matinee against Winnipeg’s Luke Boyd. Fans can hear the game on The Bet KC 1660 AM and the Audacy app.

Gilliam, Martinez Power Monarchs To Win Up North

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WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Isiah Gilliam gave the Kansas City Monarchs the lead after two pitches, and they never looked back.

Kansas City (18-7) jumped out to a 6-0 lead and hung on for a 6-2 win over the Winnipeg Goldeyes Friday night from Blue Cross Park.

BOX SCORE

Gilliam hit his eighth home run of the season to lead off the game, part of a 2-for-3, two-RBI night. John Nogowski went 3-for-5 for the Monarchs out of the No. 3 spot in the order.

Daniel Martinez earned the win, tossing six innings of one-run ball. He walked just one while striking out seven, bringing his season strikeout-to-walk ratio to an astonishing 32 to 3.

The Monarchs have the best record in the American Association by two-and-a-half games one quarter of the way through the 2025 season.

Kansas City scored the game’s first six runs. The Monarchs took a 3-0 lead after wo on RBI doubles from Ryan Leitch and Gilliam. An Alvaro Gonzalez RBI knock made it 4-0 in the third.

Nogowski and Blake Rutherford added RBI base hits in the fifth to make it 6-0. Goldeyes starter Zan Rose allowed five runs in four-plus innings of work to take the loss.

Max Murphy homered for Winnipeg in the sixth to make it 6-1, and make history. His home run was his 92nd in a Goldeyes uniform, matching the club record set by Reggie Abercrombie.

The Goldeyes loaded the bases with one out in the eighth but managed just one run. Hunter McMahon earned the save, getting the final two outs of the eighth inning and tossing a hitless ninth.

UP NEXT

The Monarchs and Goldeyes play the middle game of their series Saturday night at 6 p.m. Kansas City’s Josh Hendrickson will face Winnipeg’s Mitchell Lambson in a battle of left-handed starters. Monarchs fans can hear the game on The Bet KC 1660 AM and the Audacy app.

Jackson Goddard

Goddard’s Gem Leads Monarchs To Tight Win

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Jackson Goddard

FARGO, N.D. — In a game that came down to the final batter, the Kansas City Monarchs’ pitching staff stood tall, leading the team to a 3-2 win over the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks Wednesday night from Newman Outdoor Field.

Jackson Goddard earned the win, throwing six innings of two-run baseball. Relievers Jake Brentz, Blake Goldsberry and Tyler McKay each tossed a scoreless inning to guide the Monarchs (17-7) to victory.

Alvaro Gonzalez and Josh Bissonette supplied RBI singles for Kansas City in a three-run second inning. Those runs held up despite a late push from the RedHawks (14-10).

BOX SCORE

The Monarchs hold the best record in the American Association after taking two out of three from their division rivals in Fargo. The finale of the four-game series is scheduled for Thursday at 7:02 p.m.

“As a team, I think we’re really happy with the start that we’re off to,” Goddard said. “It’s a cliche, but we’ll take it one day at a time and see how many series wins we can keep stacking. Everything’s clicking right now.”

Goddard struck out seven batters, matching his season high, without allowing a walk.

“The fastball was working well tonight,” the former Kansas Jayhawk said. “I was able to execute it at the top of the zone. I was happy with the way I was able to execute.”

Goddard’s only blemish was a two-run home run from RedHawks second baseman Peter Brookshaw over the short porch in right field. It was Brookshaw’s second home run in three games.

McKay is now 5-for-5 in save opportunities as the Monarchs’ closer. Neither Brentz nor Goldsberry allowed a baserunner to reach in their respective innings.

“In a way, that sixth inning almost feels like a save opportunity for me,” Goddard said. “Knowing that it’s going to turn over to [the bullpen], we’re probably going to be all right.”

RedHawks starter Greg Minier threw seven innings of three-run ball to take the hard-luck loss.

UP NEXT

Daniel Martinez will get the start for the Monarchs in Thursday’s series finale. Orlando Rodriguez will get the ball for Fargo-Moorhead. Fans can hear every Monarchs road game on The Bet KC 1660 AM and the Audacy app.

Monarchs Coast To Win In Fargo

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FARGO, N.D. — Ashton Goudeau threw six solid innings, Jhailyn Ortiz delivered a titanic home run, and the Kansas City Monarchs earned a 7-4 win over the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks Tuesday night at Newman Outdoor Field.

Ortiz launched a 112-mph homer, his third of the year, to provide the Monarchs with crucial insurance runs in the fourth inning. Goudeau allowed three runs (two earned) over his six innings of work, walking two and striking out three.

The two newest Monarchs both came up big in the win. Blake Rutherford delivered an RBI single on the first pitch he saw in his season debut. John Nogowski hit a stand-up RBI triple for his first RBI of the year in his second game with the team.

Relievers Jeff Hakanson, Hunter McMahon and Tyler McKay closed out the win for the Monarchs (16-7), who hold the best record in the American Association.

The Monarchs never trailed in the contest, jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the first on RBI singles from Alvaro Gonzalez and Rutherford.

After the RedHawks plated an unearned run in the bottom of the first, RBI knocks from Jorge Bonifacio and Isiah Gilliam put Kansas City up 4-1. Gilliam’s batting average stands at a team-best .386.

Fargo-Moorhead (14-9) cut the deficit to one in the third on a two-run homer from Brendon Dadson, his first blast of the year.

Ortiz’s longball in the fourth and Nogowski’s triple the fifth brought the Monarchs back up by four.

The RedHawks added a run in the ninth on a two-out RBI single from Marcus Chiu, but McKay struck out Dillon Thomas one batter later to end the game.

UP NEXT

The Monarchs and RedHawks meet again Wednesday at 7:02 p.m. for the third game of their four-game series. Jackson Goddard will start the game for Kansas City against veteran lefty Greg Minier. Monarchs fans can hear the game on The Bet KC 1660 AM and the Audacy app.

Blake Is Back: Big Leaguer Rutherford Returns To Monarchs

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. — One of the most exciting Kansas City Monarchs players of recent memory is coming back to the team. 

Blake Rutherford, a first-round draft pick by the Yankees who played in the major leagues with Washington just two seasons ago, is returning to the four-time league champions, the Monarchs announced Tuesday. 

Rutherford began the 2024 season with Kansas City. He hit .328 with a .912 OPS over 17 games with three home runs. 

The Mexican League’s Toros de Tijuana signed Rutherford on June 14, 2024, and he stayed on with the club to start the 2025 season. He will be in the Monarchs’ starting lineup for their game Tuesday night at Fargo-Moorhead.

“We’re happy to welcome Blake Rutherford back to the Monarchs,” Monarchs manager Joe Calfapietra said. “This adds a good, experienced, professional bat to our lineup. We’re looking to do everything we can to get him back with a major-league affiliate, like we do with all of our players.” 

The Monarchs (15-7) own the best record in the American Association. Rutherford is the second former major leaguer signed by the club this week after former Cardinals and Pirates infielder John Nogowski joined the team Monday. 

“It’s a really good clubhouse, with a really good fit and a really good coaching staff,” Calfapietra said. “Everyone’s doing their job. Everyone knows their role. It’s working very well.”

The Yankees drafted Rutherford, 28, 18th overall in 2016. He was traded to the White Sox at the 2017 trade deadline and reached Triple-A with that organization in 2021.

The California native moved to the Nationals organization as a free agent in 2023, making his major league debut in August of that year. He collected six hits across 16 major-league games.

The Monarchs are in the midst of a seven-game road trip. Fans can check out the team’s schedule, roster and more at MonarchsBaseball.com. 

RedHawks Out-Slug Monarchs To Open Series

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FARGO, N.D. — Isiah Gilliam and Jaylyn Williams drove in three runs apiece, but the Kansas City Monarchs fell 14-8 to the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks Monday night at Newman Outdoor Field.

The RedHawks took control with a six-run third inning, including a three-run home run from Peter Brookshaw off starter Julian Garcia.

Kansas City rallied to within four and brought the tying run to the plate in the seventh, but got no closer than that.

John Nogowski, a former MLB infielder signed earlier Monday, went 1-for-5 in his team debut.

Patrick Pridgen delivered another impressive relief outing for Kansas City, allowing just one unearned run across four innings in relief of Garcia. The right-hander has not allowed an earned run across eight innings since moving from the rotation to the bullpen.

The RedHawks cemented their win with five runs in the seventh, including a bases-clearing double from Robert Perez, Jr. that gave the RedHawks an 11-3 lead. The Monarchs added five more runs over the last two frames with the game out of reach.

UP NEXT

Kansas City and Fargo-Moorhead continue their four-game series Tuesday night at 7:02 p.m. Ashton Goudeau will start for Kansas City against Fargo-Moorhead’s Colten Davis. Fans can hear the game on The Bet KC 1660 AM and the Audacy app.