Monarchs Drop Marathon To RedHawks

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The Kansas City Monarchs dropped a game of runs at Legends Field. The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks scored seven unanswered runs to open the game and tallied five unanswered runs to secure a 13-6 win at Legends Field on Saturday.

The game looked bleak for Kansas City through five innings. The RedHawks (34-31) soared to a 7-0 lead following a five-run third. Fargo-Moorhead plated additional runs in the fourth and fifth frames.

Kansas City (38-26) stormed back with some severe power. 

Micah Pries smashed a 108-mph single to start things in the sixth inning. Pries finished 4-for-4 on Saturday night.

Jorge Bonifacio demolished a 433-foot three-run home run to get KC on the board. His 10th of the year cut the deficit to 7-3. 

Fargo-Moorhead responded with a solo shot from Alec Olund in the top of the seventh to boost the lead to 8-3.

Kansas City responded in the bottom of the seventh. Josh Bissonette kickstarted the bats with a one-out triple. Andes Noriega planted an RBI single four pitches later to cut the lead to 8-4.

The hit marked Noriega’s first RBI with the Monarchs after making his debut on Friday.

All-Star Jaylyn Williams left the yard with a two-run shot later in the inning. The second baseman launched his third homer of the season on top of the Home Run Patio to cut Fargo-Moorhead’s lead to 8-6.

The buck stopped there for Kansas City. Fargo-Moorhead plated a run in the eighth and four more in the ninth to secure the series victory.

UP NEXT
The Monarchs finish off their schedule before the All-Star Game break on Sunday at 1:05 for Bluey Day at Legends Field. RHP Ashton Goudeau starts for Kansas City against Fargo-Moorhead’s Orlando Rodriguez.

Monarchs Fall to RedHawks in Game One

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Julian Garcia hurled a gem at Legends Field in a heartbreaking loss. The Kansas City Monarchs dropped game one with the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, 4-2, on Friday night.

Garcia dealt his seventh 10-strikeout performance of the season. The right-hander allowed just one run on five hits in six complete innings.

Dillon Thomas blasted a go-ahead two-run home run in the ninth inning to round out four unanswered runs for Fargo-Moorhead (33-31). The former major leaguer finished 3-for-3 with two home runs and 3 RBIs, reaching base five times.

The result drops Kansas City (38-25) to three games back of the Sioux City Explorers for first place in the American Association’s West Division pending the result of their game with Sioux Falls Friday. 

Kansas City snatched the lead off a two-out rally in the second. Josh Bissonette singled to keep the frame alive, Alex McGarry deposited a two-run blast to make it 2-0.

McGarry is up to three home runs in 12 games with Kansas City.

Garcia guided the Monarchs through the middle innings, despite a third-inning solo home run. The right-hander struck out the side in the sixth inning to dance out of runners at the corners.

Fargo-Moorhead knotted the game off a Kansas City throwing error in the eighth inning.

Thomas’ two-run bomb into the Kansas City night rounded off the comeback for the RedHawks.

UP NEXT

Kansas City continues its three-game set with Christmas in July on Saturday night. Daniel Martinez starts for Kansas City against Fargo-Moorhead’s Tyler Jandron at 6:35 pm

Monarchs Add Catcher Noriega Amidst Career Year

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The Kansas City Monarchs are bringing in a Kansas City native who has been one of the best backstops in the 2025 American Association season.

Kansas City announced the signing of catcher Andres Noriega Friday afternoon. The 24-year-old was acquired to complete a previous transaction with the Kane County Cougars.

Noriega is eligible for his Monarchs debut on Friday night against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks. He joins a Monarchs (38-24) team in a heated race for first place in the American Association, just two games back of the Sioux City Explorers.

Noriega and his wife now live in the KC area with one young daughter. The couple are expecting their second child at the end of July.

“Andres already has a young daughter and now has a lot going on. He wanted an opportunity to continue to play professionally while his wife is due” manager Joe Calfapietra said. “He is very grateful for Gary SouthShore and Kane County for allowing him this opportunity to play professionally and be extremely close to his wife, daughter and soon new baby.”

He’s also made a great impact on the diamond in 2025.

Noriega has already set a new career-high with five home runs in 31 games in 2025. Noriega homered three times in ten days during June with the Gary SouthShore RailCats.

“He hit in the middle of the lineup for Gary SouthShore,” Calfapietra said. “We think he can be a solid addition offensively and defensively for us.”

Noriega was a crucial part of Kansas City’s seven games with Gary SouthShore this season.

The catcher delivered five RBIs in six appearances against Kansas City this season. Noriega tied a season-high three RBIs in a 5-4 win over Kansas City at the U.S. Steel Yard back on July 1st.

He also provided a keen presence behind the plate for the RailCats’ pitching staff.

“We thought he was really sound defensively against us,” Calfapietra added. “He also had some big time plays with his bat.”

Noriega has Triple-A experience during his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Colombian-born catcher was called up to Oklahoma City during the 2021 MiLB season.

Kansas City will be Noriega’s third different team in the AAPB, first playing for the Sioux Falls Canaries in 2022.

Bissonette’s Single Pushes Monarchs To Shutout Win

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FARGO, N.D. — Josh Bissonette broke a 0-0 tie with a two-run single in the ninth and three pitchers combined to throw a shutout as the Kansas City Monarchs topped the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks 2-0 Thursday afternoon from Newman Outdoor Field.

Bissonnette’s game-winning hit came with the bases loaded and two outs in the ninth. It was the only run-scoring play in a pitchers’ duel — neither side managed an extra-base hit in the game.

Blake Goldsberry threw six scoreless innings for Kansas City in one of his best outings as a Monarch. Jeff Hakanson struck out four while putting up zeroes in the seventh and eighth. Hunter McMahon tossed a hitless ninth to earn the save.

The win moves the Monarchs (38-24) within 1.5 games of first-place Sioux City in the American Association West. The explorers face Lincoln Thursday night at 7:05 p.m.

RedHawks starter Kyle Crigger had his best outing of the year, throwing seven shutout innings. Colten Davis tossed a scoreless eighth before Parker Harm allowed the two Monarchs runs in the ninth.

Bissonette went 2-for-3 and Blake Rutherford earned a 2-for-4 day to lead the way for Kansas City offensively.

UP NEXT

Both teams travel south to Kansas City for a three-game series at Legends Field over the weekend. It’s the teams’ final three games before the All-Star break. The series starts Friday night at 6:35 p.m. Fans can watch every Monarchs home game on KSMO-TV channel 62.

Rutherford Homers, But RedHawks Squeak By Monarchs

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FARGO, N.D. — Blake Rutherford hit his fourth home run of the season, but the Kansas City Monarchs lost a tight game to the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks 4-2 Wednesday night at Newman Outdoor Field.

Rutherford’s two-run blast put Kansas City ahead 2-1 in the second, but the RedHawks would pull away in the late innings to win the third game of the four-game set.

The Monarchs (37-24) are two-games back of first-place Sioux City in the American Association West with the defeat.

The RedHawks tied the game in dramatic fashion in the fifth on a straight steal of home from Michael Hallquist. Monarchs manager Joe Calfapietra and third baseman Robbie Glendinning were ejected arguing the call on the close play.

RedHawks starter Jake Dykhoff delivered another impressive start, tossing seven innings of two-run ball. He allowed six hits while walking none and striking out three.

Monarchs starter Josh Hendrickson left with a no-decision after five innings. He was charged with two runs on three hits, three walks and six strikeouts.

A pair of wild pitches brought in two more RedHawks runs in the seventh to give the hosts a two-run edge, and the Fargo-Moorhead bullpen tossed two clean innings to shut the door.

UP NEXT

Fargo-Moorhead and Kansas City finish their four-game set Thursday afternoon at 12:30 p.m. Blake Goldsberry will start for Kansas City; the RedHawks’ starter is still to be announced. Fans can hear the game on The Bet KC 1660 AM and the Audacy app.

Monarchs Swept In Doubleheader

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FARGO, N.D. — Grant Gambrell delivered a solid start in the nightcap, but the Kansas City Monarchs fell in both games of a doubleheader against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks Tuesday night from Newman Outdoor Field.

The RedHawks used a five-run third inning to take the opener 5-0 and never trailed in a 3-1 victory in the finale.

Kansas City (37-23) remains in second place in the American Association West, one game back of first-place Sioux City.

Orlando Rodríguez threw a complete-game shutout in the opening game, allowing just four hits across seven innings of work.

Monarchs starter Ashton Goudeau allowed five runs, all on two-out hits in the fifth. Dillon Thomas delivered a two-run double, José Sermo knocked an RBI single, and Brendon Dadson hit a two-run home run to make it 5-0.

Junior Cerda got the last six outs of the opener for Kansas City without allowing a run.

The RedHawks jumped out to a 2-1 lead in the first inning of the second game, pushing across a run on a fielder’s choice before an RBI single from Lamar Sparks.

Gambrell locked in from then on, allowing just those two runs across five innings of work. He gave up five hits and two walks while striking out six in his second start as a Monarch.

Kansas City scored their lone run of the doubleheader in the third inning of game two. Ryan Leitch scored on a sacrifice fly from John Nogowski.

The RedHawks added a run on an RBI single from Michael Hallquist in the sixth inning to bring the game to its final score.

UP NEXT

Kansas City and Fargo-Moorhead meet for the third game of their series Wednesday night at 7:02 p.m. Josh Hendrickson will pitch for the Monarchs against Fargo-Moorhead’s Jake Dykhoff. Fans can hear the game on The Bet KC 1660 AM and the Audacy app.

Monarchs Win Thriller For Calfapietra’s 1300th

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WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Joe Calfapietra’s 1300th managerial win had everything: lead changes, drama, and a four-game road sweep.

The Kansas City Monarchs edged the Winnipeg Goldeyes 5-4 in a heart-pounding series finale from Blue Cross Park.

The Monarchs (37-21) are tied with Sioux City for the best record in the American Association, with the Explorers still in action against the Cleburne Railroaders Sunday night.

Calfapietra reached the milestone in his 25th season as a professional baseball manager. It’s his eighth year with Kansas City, where he’s compiled 453 wins.

The Monarchs’ bullpen pitched four shutout innings in the victory, allowing just three hits. Starting pitcher Daniel Martinez earned the win after five innings of work, allowing four runs (three earned). He gave up five hits with two walks and four strikeouts.

All-Star second baseman Jaylyn Williams went 3-for-5 for Kansas City. Five different Monarchs recorded RBIs.

The Monarchs plated two in the first on RBI knocks from John Nogowski and Blake Rutherford. Winnipeg tied the score in the second on a two-run home run from Ramon Bramasco, his fifth of the season.

Joshuan Sandoval’s two-out RBI single put KC in front 3-2 in the fourth, but the Goldeyes scored two on a Monarchs error in the fifth to take a 4-3 lead.

Kansas City took the lead for good in the sixth. Alvaro Gonzalez tied it with an RBI double, and a sacrifice fly from Ross Adolph made it 5-4 Kansas City.

Jeff Hakanson, Steffon Moore, Leam Mendez and Hunter McMahon combined to finish the game out for Kansas City. McMahon pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his third save in four games.

UP NEXT

The Monarchs have Monday off before heading to Fargo for a four-game series with the RedHawks. The series starts with a doubleheader Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. from Newman Outdoor Field.

Garcia Digs Deep, Leads Monarchs To Win

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WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Another gem from Julian Garcia guided the Kansas City Monarchs to a win north of the border.

The Monarchs’ ace of staff tossed seven innings of two-run baseball and the Monarchs topped the Winnipeg Goldeyes 5-2 Saturday night from Blue Cross Park.

Garcia (6-1) allowed just four hits and one walk while striking out 10, his 6th double-digit strikeout outing of the season. He threw 110 pitches.

Alex McGarry hit his second home run as a Monarch in the victory, which moves Kansas City (36-21) into a tie with Sioux City for first place in the American Association West.

Jaylyn Williams, Ryan Leitch and Alvaro Gonzalez all delivered two-hit games for Kansas City. Leitch drew two walks for a perfect night at the plate.

The Monarchs are 8-2 over their last 10 games and will go for a four-game sweep of Winnipeg Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.

Kansas City manufactured a run in the second to open the scoring. Josh Bissonette hit a sacrifice fly off Goldeyes starter Zan Rose to score Gonzalez and make it 1-0.

McGarry’s homer, a two-run blast, made it 3-0 Kansas City in the fourth.

The Monarchs tacked on two more runs in the fifth on a wild pitch and a ground ball from Gonzalez.

Rose was pulled after 4.2 innings, allowing five runs on seven hits with four walks and two strikeouts.

The Goldeyes pushed across their first run in the fifth on a ground ball before Ramon Bramasco homered on the first pitch of the sixth.

Leam Mendez pitched a hitless eighth and Josh Bortka worked around a leadoff single in the ninth to earn the save for Kansas City.

UP NEXT

Daniel Martinez will start Sunday’s series finale for Kansas City against Winnipeg’s James Bradwell. Fans can hear the game on The Bet KC 1660 AM and the Audacy app.

Steffon Moore

Monarchs Welcome All-Star Reliver Moore

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Former American Association All-Star Steffon Moore is returning to the league with the Kansas City Monarchs. 

The lefty reliever signed with Kansas City ahead of the Monarchs’ doubleheader with Winnipeg Friday night from Blue Cross Park. He is available out of the bullpen for Saturday’s game, which would be his team debut.

Moore, 28, is a former Rays prospect in his seventh pro season. He earned AAPB All-Star honors in 2022 while serving as the closer with the Lincoln Saltdogs. He earned an 0.36 ERA in his first 20 appearances of that season to establish himself as one of the top bullpen arms in the league. 

The West Point, Mississippi native owns an impressive 12.0 K/9 across his professional career entering Friday’s action. 

“We saw Steffon Moore a lot, being a division rival. We like his arm, we like his competitiveness,” Monarchs manager Joe Calfapietra said. “I had the opportunity to manage Steffon in the All-Star Game, and enjoyed being around him. We’re excited to have him in a Monarchs uniform.”

The Rays drafted Moore in the 26th round in 2018 out of West Alabama. He reached as high as Single-A in Tampa Bay’s system, cracking that level in 2019 and 2021. 

Moore suited up for Lincoln in 2022 and 2023 before splitting the 2024 season with two Atlantic League clubs. 

The Monarchs (35-21) own the second-best record in the 12-team American Association. They return home to Legends Field Friday, July 18 for Mizzou Night and Friday Fireworks, as well as Christmas in July on Saturday, July 19. Tickets are available now at MonarchsBaseball.com or by calling 913-328-5618.

See the Monarchs’ full roster here.

About the Kansas City Monarchs

The Kansas City Monarchs are a professional baseball team in the American Association, an MLB Partner League. 2025 will be their 22nd season at Legends Field in Kansas City, Kansas. In 2020, the team partnered with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and changed their name from the T-Bones to the Monarchs in honor of the legendary Negro League franchise that played from 1920 to 1965.

Monarchs Smoke Goldeyes For Doubleheader Sweep

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WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Facing a tough opponent and smoky conditions, the Kansas City Monarchs earned a doubleheader sweep over the Winnipeg Goldeyes Friday night from Blue Cross Park.

Kansas City won the opener 5-3, finishing a game from June 8 that had been suspended in the third inning. The Monarchs edged Winnipeg 1-0 in the nightcap.

The wins pull the Monarchs (35-21) to within a half-game of first place in the American Association West.

It was one of the best days of the season for the Monarchs pitching staff.

Blake Goldsberry earned the win in the first game, throwing 5.2 innings and allowing two runs on a Max Murphy home run. Josh Hendrickson delivered six shutout innings with 10 strikeouts in the nightcap.

Hunter McMahon earned the save in both games, getting the final two outs of game one and tossing the last inning of game two.

The Monarchs were winning the first game 2-1 in the third when it was suspended due to rain over a month ago. They wasted no time adding on to their lead Friday, scoring three runs in a nine-batter fourth inning.

Monarchs outfielder Alex McGarry, who was playing for Chicago when the game began, delivered an RBI single fourth. Ross Adolph added his own RBI knock, part of a three-hit day for former Astros prospect.

The Murphy home run was the only blemish against Goldsberry, who earned a strikeout to strand two runners in the first at-bat of the day. McMahon took over during the ninth inning, needing just three pitches to close the door.

Blake Rutherford scored the only run of the nightcap in the second inning on a sacrifice fly from McGarry. Goldeyes starter Mitchell Lambson was handed a tough-luck loss, throwing all seven innings with just the one run allowed.

The finale was Hendrickson’s second double-digit strikeout performance of the year after a 15-strikeout night against the Goldeyes from Blue Cross Park on June 7.

Facing a tough opponent and smoky conditions, the Kansas City Monarchs earned a doubleheader sweep over the Winnipeg Goldeyes Friday night from Blue Cross Park.

Kansas City won the opener 5-3, finishing a game from June 8 that had been suspended in the third inning. The Monarchs edged Winnipeg 1-0 in the nightcap.

The wins pull the Monarchs (35-21) to within a half-game of first place in the American Association West.

It was one of the best days of the season for the Monarchs pitching staff.

Blake Goldsberry earned the win in the first game, throwing 5.2 innings and allowing two runs on a Max Murphy home run. Josh Hendrickson delivered six shutout innings with 10 strikeouts in the nightcap.

Hunter McMahon earned the save in both games, getting the final two outs of game one and tossing the last inning of game two.

The Monarchs were winning the first game 2-1 in the third when it was suspended due to rain over a month ago. They wasted no time adding on to their lead Friday, scoring three runs in a nine-batter fourth inning.

Monarchs outfielder Alex McGarry, who was playing for Chicago when the game began, delivered an RBI single fourth. Ross Adolph added his own RBI knock, part of a three-hit day for former Astros prospect.

The Murphy home run was the only blemish against Goldsberry, who earned a strikeout to strand two runners in the first at-bat of the day. McMahon took over during the ninth inning, needing just three pitches to close the door.

Blake Rutherford scored the only run of the nightcap in the second inning on a sacrifice fly from McGarry. Goldeyes starter Mitchell Lambson was handed a tough-luck loss, throwing all seven innings with just the one run allowed.

The finale was Hendrickson’s second double-digit strikeout performance of the year after a 15-strikeout night against the Goldeyes from Blue Cross Park on June 7.