Monarchs Comeback Just Not Enough

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Jorge Bonifacio’s fifth home run in nine home games inspired a late-inning rally, but the Kansas City Monarchs fell short in a back-and-forth series finale.

The Sioux City Explorers took a 7-5 win at Legends Field on Thursday afternoon. 

The win moves Sioux City (35-21) into a one-game lead for first place in the American Association’s West Division.

Bonifacio’s eighth-inning blast was one of two home runs for Kansas City (33-21). New arrival Alex McGarry slugged his first home run with the club in the fifth.

All-Star infielders Jaylyn Williams and Josh Bissonette each posted RBI knocks for KC. Williams legged an RBI double while Bissonette hit an RBI single, each in the seventh inning.

Sioux City started strong against Kansas City starter Grant Gambrell (1-1). The Explorers hung runs in four of the five innings with a spree of soft contract.

The Explorers took a 1-0 lead on an RBI groundout in the first and an RBI single in the third. The X’s used both those outcomes in the fourth inning to make it 4-0.

The Monarchs got on the board in the bottom of the fourth. A Sioux City throwing error plated John Nogowski from second base to cut the lead to 4-1.

The X’s padded their cushion with two runs in the fifth inning.

McGarry came back swinging in the bottom half. The former Triple-A bat deposited a 424-foot round-tripper to center field to trim the lead to 6-2.

Explorers starting pitcher Angel Macuare (1-0) departed from there after five innings of two-run ball with eight strikeouts.

Williams, Bissonette and Bonifacio each did their bit to pull back from a 7-2 deficit. Bonifacio’s home run was his ninth of the season.

The Monarchs brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth inning. Felix Cepeda shut the door on the series with his league-leading 15th save.

UP NEXT

The Monarchs begin an eight-game road trip on Friday against the Winnipeg Goldeyes. The action begins with a doubleheader on Friday from Blue Cross Park. Fans can listen on The Bet KC 1660 AM and the Audacy app.

Monarchs Rally for Crucial Win

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The Kansas City Monarchs cooked up some wild ways to even a series.

Kansas City scored three unanswered runs in the late innings to take a 6-4 victory at Legends Field.

The win moves Kansas City (33-20) into a tie for first in the American Association’s West Division.

The Monarchs scored the last three runs on a passed ball in the sixth, an error in the seventh and a double steal attempt in the eighth.

“We never give up in games,” Jorge Bonifacio said. “We play hard every single night.”

Bonifacio led Kansas City to the victory with a 2-for-3 performance, scoring the game’s final run. 

The left fielder legged out an infield single and swiped second base in the eighth inning. He took third on a throwing error from Explorers catcher Kurtis Byrne and scored as Jaylyn Williams was thrown out trying to swipe second later in the inning.

“That run was important for us,” Bonifacio said. “I want to try and put my team in the best position.”

Bonifacio smoked a two-run home run to left field to give Kansas City a 2-0 lead in the first. His sixth homer at Legends Field this year traveled 408 feet to give KC the advantage.

“I was trying to battle. The pitcher left a high slider and I took advantage of it,” Bonifacio said.

The game yo-yoed throughout. The Explorers (34-21) rallied for three unanswered runs in the fourth and fifth innings. Austin Davis lifted a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the fifth to make it 3-2 Sioux City.

Monarchs catcher Joshuan Sandoval lobbed an RBI single to tie the game in the fifth. Sioux City catcher Carlos Castro returned the favor with a go-ahead RBI single in the sixth.

Monarchs slugger Robbie Glendinning, currently competing in a fan vote for a spot in the All-Star game, delivered a 104-mph leadoff double in the sixth. 

He would score the game’s tying run on an Explorers passed ball, 4-4.

“[Robbie] is one of the best players we have,” Bonifacio said.

Monarchs fans can vote for Glendinning at monarchsbaseball.com/voterobbie until the end of Thursday night.

Kansas City took the lead for good in the seventh. With men at first and third and two out, Ross Adolph hit a ground ball to first baseman Torin Montgomery. Montgomery hesitated before making a late throw to pitcher Nate Gercken covering first. Gercken dropped the ball, allowing Josh Bissonette to score the go-ahead run from second base on the E-1. 

A pair of Kansas City natives held down the fort to close out the win. Josh Bortka delivered a scoreless eighth inning in his Monarchs’ return.

Hunter McMahon (2) shut the door in the ninth. The right-hander silenced the Explorers’ bats to leave the tying run at the plate.

UP NEXT

Kansas City and Sioux City wrap up the series tomorrow at 11:05 a.m. for Kids Camp Day at Legends Field. Grant Gambrell will start for the Monarchs in his Legends Field debut against Sioux City’s Angel Macuare.

Three Monarchs Named To All-Star Game, Glendinning Headlines Fan Vote

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Three Kansas City Monarchs are heading to the American Association All-Star Game, and a fourth deserving candidate will need some help from fans to make it in.

Ace pitcher Julian Garcia, second baseman Jaylyn Williams and shortstop Josh Bissonette will all represent the West Division in the 2025 AAPB All-Star Game in Fargo, North Dakota on July 22.

Additionally, Monarchs utility player Robbie Glendinning has been named to the West Division’s Last Man In ballot. He will compete with five other players in a fan vote to make it to the All-Star Game.

Fans can cast their vote for Glendinning here.

Glendinning leads the West’s ballot with a .414 on-base percentage. His .952 OPS is the best on the Monarchs and ranks sixth in the entire American Association. He’s also excelled defensively at multiple positions, including outfield, first base and third base.

Garcia, the Monarchs’ ace of staff, will be one of the West’s top pitchers. He leads the American Association in strikeouts entering Wednesday’s games with 90 across 10 starts and 57.2 innings of work. His 3.12 ERA ranks eighth in the league and sixth in the division.

Williams will start at second base for the West Division. The Mississippi native sports a .291 batting average to go with nine doubles, two home runs and four stolen bases across 47 games.

Bissonette will be one of the West Division’s reserve players. The former Pirates prospect leads all AAPB shortstops with a .339 batting average, ranking fourth in the league overall. A disciplined hitter, he has struck out just 25 times against 26 walks across his 50 games this season, all while providing a steady hand at shortstop.

The 2025 American Association All-Star Game is scheduled for Tuesday, July 22 from Newman Outdoor Field in Fargo, North Dakota.

Monarchs Drop Opener To Explorers

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Daniel Martinez shoved in his return to the Kansas City Monarchs’ rotation, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Sioux City Explorers. The Explorers downed the Monarchs, 4-2, at Legends Field on Tuesday night.

Martinez spun a quality start in his first start since June 18th. Martinez delivered 6.1 innings, allowed just four hits and fanned four Explorers’ batters.

The result moves Sioux City into first place in the American Association West Division, one game ahead of the Monarchs.

The Explorers (34-20) started strong with a two-run first inning. RBI base hits by Zac Vooletich and Josh Day gave the Explorers a two-run cushion.

That would be all the visitors got against Martinez (3-4). The right-hander dialed in from there to record four consecutive scoreless innings.

The Monarchs (32-20) got on the comeback trail in the fourth inning. Ross Adolph sniped an RBI single to center field, plating Robbie Glendinning.

Adolph’s 18th RBI of the season cut the Sioux City lead to 2-1. The center fielder headlined the night for KC’s bats with a 2-for-4 day.

Kansas City was kept flat by left-handed starter Jared Wetherbee (7-1). The X’s southpaw hurled six innings of one-run ball, striking out six.

The Explorers pulled away late with two ninth-inning runs. Vooletich started with a solo home run, Nick Shumpert notched an RBI single to make it 4-1 Sioux City.

The Monarchs rallied late against star closer Felix Cepeda. Ryan Leitch lobbed an RBI single to left-center field to bring the winning run to the plate.

Cepeda kept his cool and induced a flyout to seal his league-leading 14th save.

UP NEXT

The Monarchs look to even up the series with the Explorers on Wednesday night at 6:35 pm. Ashton Goudeau opens for Kansas City against Sioux City’s Peniel Otaño.

Kansas City Monarchs Roster

Monarchs Ink Two Dynamic Players

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The Kansas City Monarchs are making two important signings to start their second half of the season.

The Monarchs announced the return of right-handed pitcher Josh Bortka and the signing of lefty bat Alex McGarry on Tuesday afternoon. Both are eligible for Tuesday night’s game against the Sioux City Explorers.

The winner of this week’s Sioux City-Kansas City series determines who will be first place in the American Association’s West Division.

Bortka returns to the Monarchs following a brief stint with the Minnesota Twins’ organization.

The 25-year-old began the 2025 season with the Monarchs. Bortka hurled a scoreless inning and two-thirds in his lone appearance.

“He was a dynamic arm when we got him,” Joe Calfapietra, Kansas City’s eighth-year field manager, said. “We’re expecting him to pick up right where he left off.”

Bortka, a Kansas City, Missouri-native, boasted a 2.96 ERA for the Central Missouri Mules in his college career.

The reliever commands the zone with an excellent fastball and features a wipeout slider.

“His velocity and slider is really, really good,” Calfapietra said. “We want him to be one of the back-end bullpen guys.”

The Monarchs acquired McGarry from the Gary SouthShore RailCats for a player to be named later and cash considerations. 

McGarry featured for the Cincinnati Reds’ Triple-A affiliate, the Louisville Bats, in 2024.

“We were looking for a left-handed bat and experience, he’s going to bring both of those to the table,” Calfapietra said. “He has experience in this league, he has Triple-A experience.”

McGarry joined the American Association in 2024 with the Kane County Cougars. The 27-year-old was part of a Cougars team that won the 2024 Miles Wolff Cup with an undefeated playoff run.

The Vancouver, Washington-native began the 2025 AAPB season with the Chicago Dogs. He delivered an .817 OPS and a .297 batting average in 39 games.

“We feel he’s a guy who can eventually hit in the middle of the lineup,” Calfapietra mentioned. “We think he can be very big for us.”

McGarry was teammates with current Monarchs pitcher Grant Gambrell at Oregon State. He signed with the Reds as a UDFA in 2020.

Monarchs Starter Goddard Heading To Mexican League

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. – A former Jayhawks star is heading from the Kansas City Monarchs to Mexico. 

Righty starter Jackson Goddard has had his contract transferred to the Aceros de Monclova of the Mexican League, the Monarchs announced Tuesday.

Goddard is the ninth 2025 Monarch to have their contract transferred to an affiliated or Mexican League organization. The Monarchs have had 16 players signed by MiLB or LMB clubs in the last calendar year. 

In his second year with Kansas City, Goddard struck out 57 batters across nine starts and 46 innings of work. He posted three quality starts, at one point striking out at least seven batters in four straight outings. 

“Jackson’s been pitching really really well, getting deep in ball games,” Monarchs manager Joe Calfapietra said. “You take out a couple of innings in his last three or four outings, he’s probably pitching the best out of anyone in the league. He’s had some dominating performances. We’re excited to see him get rewarded for it with a great opportunity over in Mexico.”

Goddard pitched at KU from 2016 to 2018, earning All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors his sophomore year in 2017. The right-hander delivered a 4.29 ERA in 16 games (12 starts) that season.

The Tulsa, Oklahoma native was KU’s Opening Day starter in 2018, earning a 4.10 ERA in 10 starts. He turned heads against high-level competition, including striking out 11 batters against Oklahoma and posting seven straight Ks to start an outing against Oklahoma State.

A third-round draft pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks out of KU, Goddard reached Double-A Amarillo in 2023. The right-hander struck out 30 batters in 24.2 innings of work, helping the Sod Poodles to a Texas League championship.

A dependable starter with the Monarchs in 2024, Goddard ranked second on the team with 86.2 innings pitched and 88 strikeouts. 

The Monarchs are at home Tuesday through Thursday facing the Sioux City Explorers, who are tied with Kansas City for first place in the American Association West. Fans can watch every Monarchs home game on KSMO-TV Channel 62. 

Garcia Directs Monarchs To Sweep

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Julian Garcia’s Sunday best led the Kansas City Monarchs to their fourth sweep of the season. The right-hander spun a gem in a 6-3 win over the Lincoln Saltdogs. 

Garcia (5-1) posted seven innings of one-run baseball with five strikeouts. He now leads the American Association with 90 strikeouts in 2025.

The former Philadelphia Phillies prospect started out strong. Garcia mixed in cutters and changeups to work a scoreless first time through.

“I felt the fastball working early,” Garcia said. “I threw a couple of changeups in, the slider was my bread and butter.”

Garcia added the strikeout to post back-to-back strikeouts in the third inning with his trademark sweeper. 

Kansas City’s (32-19) bats got to work in the early innings. Josh Bissonette plated the first run on a groundout in the second inning. Alvaro Gonzalez lifted an RBI single to right-center field to make it 2-0 in the third.

The Monarchs patched three more runs across in the fourth inning thanks to back-to-back knocks from Ross Adolph and Robbie Glendinning.

“It lets me go out there and do my job,” Garcia said. “These guys got me some runs today, they’ve got my back in the field.”

Garcia’s lone blemish came in the fifth inning. Lincoln’s (23-30) Spencer Henson launched a leadoff home run to cut the lead to 5-1. Garcia ended with his best stuff, retiring eight of the nine batters following the homer.

The Monarchs added one more run in the seventh thanks to a Saltdogs error.

Lincoln’s Max Hewitt carved back two runs in the ninth, but Patrick Pridgen shut the door to seal the win.

UP NEXT

The Monarchs face the Sioux City Explorers in a pivotal mid-season series. The winner of the series will take over first place in the West Division. First pitch on Tuesday is scheduled for 6:35 pm.

Monarchs Serenade Calfapietra In Blowout Win

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. – It was a night 25 years in the making for manager Joe Calfapietra.

The Kansas City Monarchs honored their skipper for his 25th year in professional baseball in the best way possible: winning. The Monarchs took down the Lincoln Saltdogs 10-5 at Legends Field Saturday night.

Calfapietra, the Monarchs’ eighth-year manager, was overwhelmed with emotion prior to first pitch. The Monarchs put together a special tribute video with over 20 players and coaches congratulating the legendary manager.

“It is a great testament to the players and coaches who have been so loyal over the years,” Calfapietra said. “I’m just so blessed for 25 years.”

The Monarchs (31-19) belted three home runs on Saturday night from Robbie Glendinning, John Nogowski and Blake Rutherford. Nogowski and Rutherford blasted 420-foot home runs in the sixth inning.

“It’s fun watching these guys every night,” Calfapietra said. “I let the guys go out there and play. I let the coaches go out there and coach.”

Glendinning’s solo home run gave Kansas City the lead in the first inning. Nogowski extended the lead with a textbook two-RBI single in the second inning.

Lincoln (23-29) rallied to tie the game at three after two RBI singles and a Monarchs error in the sixth.

Kansas City whipped together the perfect response; a seven-run inning to pull into a 10-3 lead.

Jorge Bonifacio scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch. Two pitches later, the Monarchs erupted.

Nogowski found his signature moment with a 420-foot three-run home run. The former major leaguer demolished a towering line drive over the Home Run Patio to make it 7-3.

The former major leaguer finished with a season-high five RBIs in the win.

Rutherford smacked one of the longest home runs by a Monarch this season later in the sixth. The former Washington National belted a 424-foot cannon to Home Run Hill in right field to make it 10-3.

Kansas City remains in second place in the American Association, one game behind first-place Sioux City.

UP NEXT

The Monarchs and Saltdogs close their 2025 season series Sunday afternoon at 1:05 pm. Julian Garcia starts for Kansas City against Lincoln’s Dylan Castaneda.

Monarchs Power Past Saltdogs on Fourth of July

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. – There were fireworks, figuratively and literally, at Legends Field for the Fourth of July.

The Kansas City Monarchs blasted past the Lincoln Saltdogs 13-9 in front of 3,772 happy fans.

The win keeps Kansas City (30-19) within one game of the top spot in the West Division.

The Monarchs erupted for 13 runs on 14 hits, including three home runs. The performance marked the most runs scored at Legends Field this season.

Micah Pries, Jorge Bonifacio and Alvaro Gonzalez all went deep for the Monarchs. The victory marked the 16th time Kansas City has hit multiple home runs in 2025.

Pries gave KC the lead with a solo shot in the first inning in his Legends Field debut.

Alvaro Gonzalez and John Nogowski added two RBI singles in the second inning to stretch the lead to three.

“We came out swinging, it was fun,” Nogowski said. “The crowd was awesome tonight.”

The RBI single was one of two for Nogowski in the win.

Nogowski’s second RBI came in the Monarchs’ biggest inning at Legends Field. Kansas City poured on eight runs on five hits to balloon the lead.

“I had guys on all night; it made my job easier,” Nogowski said. “It was a great effort from all of us.”

Nogowski’s knock increased the lead to 9-1.

Jorge Bonifacio demolished a two-run home run to cap the frame. The former Kansas City Royal demolished a 411-foot two-run blast to make it 11-1.

“That’s always fun. We love scoring and putting a show on for the fans,” Nogowski said. “We’ll have a few more of those tomorrow.”

The inning solidified a win for KC starter Blake Goldsberry (3-1). The right-hander hurled five innings of one-run ball with four strikeouts.

Gonzalez cemented the win in the sixth inning. The Venezuelan launched an opposite-field home run to left-center field to make it 13-1.

Lincoln (23-28) delivered eight RBIs in the final three innings to pull within four. 

UP NEXT

The Monarchs continue their three-game set with the Saltdogs on Margaritaville Night on Saturday night at 6:35 pm. Josh Hendrickson starts for Kansas City, Nate Blain will open for Lincoln.



Spirited Comeback On The South Shore: Monarchs 6, RailCats 5

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GARY, In. – The Kansas City Monarchs tied their largest comeback victory of the season in on thrilling Thursday night.

The Monarchs rallied to beat the Gary SouthShore RailCats, 6-5, at the U.S. Steel Yard. Kansas City trailed, 5-1, after four innings before storming back to take the win.

The win moves Kansas City (29-19) within one game in the top spot in the American Association’s West Division.

New pitcher Grant Gambrell (1-0) headlined a vicious comeback. The right-hander spun three scoreless innings in his Monarchs debut to earn the win.

“It was a new feel for me, I didn’t even hear [the music] while I was warming,” Gambrell said. “Everything felt like it was working. It was a smooth transition.”

Jaylyn Williams’ go-ahead sac fly gave Kansas City the 6-5 lead in the eighth inning.

Gambrell was the coolest man in the building in the bottom of the ninth. He struck out the side, the top three RailCats batters, to hold down the fort.

“I had a really good defense behind me. Ryan [Leitch] called a really good game,” Gambrell said. “Once I felt my spin get back, I felt good.”

Kansas City’s first-base dugout was stunned after four innings. Gary SouthShore (14-35) flipped a 1-0 Monarchs lead in next to no time with seven consecutive base runners reaching. Two two-run doubles made it 5-1, RailCats.

The Monarchs mirrored that in the top of the fifth. Seven consecutive baserunners reached to pull within a run. Ross Adolph clubbed an RBI triple, Williams poked an infield single and Leitch recorded a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch.

Adolph posted two RBIs in the comeback.

John Nogowski equalized with a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 5 in the fifth inning.

Starter Jackson Goddard braved through the fourth inning to keep the RailCats off the board. The right-hander completed six innings, five of which were scoreless, and struck out four.

The Monarchs’ late push was just enough. Newcomer Micah Pries scored the game-winning run to wrap up the win.

UP NEXT

The Monarchs return to Legends Field for a three-game series with the Lincoln Saltdogs. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 pm.