Monarchs Rally Late, Steal Game in Chicago

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Chicago, IL — It took seven frames, but a four-run eighth inning proved to be the deciding factor as the Monarchs came from behind to win 4-3 over the Dogs on Friday night.

There were three scoreless innings to open up and the Dogs found the breakthrough in the fourth. Jaxx Groshans and Zack Stokes both reached base via error and then Jacob Maiben singled on a bunt to load the bases. Tyrique Reed drove in the first run on an RBI single to right field. One pitch later, Cooper Weiss lifted a sac fly to bring in Strokes to double the lead.

The Dogs tacked on another tally in the sixth frame when Stokes walked and Maiben reached base via error. Reed was at it again with his second RBI of the night on a base hit into left field. It was a 3-0 deficit and the Monarchs were running out of innings.

Jimmy Endersby had a decent outing on the bump as he gave up four hits, three runs, but registered six punch outs. Kansas City threw three more pitchers out of the bullpen while Tyler Myrick recorded a team-high fifth save with two K’s in the final inning.

It was the eighth inning, the Monarchs had two outs and they were desperate for any sort of rally. As so many times we have seen this season, they found a way. Hudson Head recorded his only knock of the night with a base hit into center. Then it was Luken Baker who smoked a fly ball to center field to score Head and got the Monarchs on the board. Saul Garza remained discipline at the dish to draw a walk and then that brought up Grant Richardson. He came up huge with when he ripped a two-run RBI into right field to tie the game. Richardson got all the way to third via error and then JD Davis sent him home with a base hit which became the winning run.

Once again, Kansas City made it happen with their backs up against the wall and snatched the opening game of the series. This was a group that was on the verge of losing their fifth-straight game, but had other ideas. With a Sioux Falls loss, the Monarchs stand clear two games ahead of the Canaries in the West Division. They will play the second game of the set with the Dogs on a 6 o’clock first pitch tomorrow night at Impact Field.

Monarchs Cold Offensively, Swept in Series

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Kansas City, KS — It was a defensive battle as the Monarchs had the lead through seven innings, but two runs from Winnipeg in the eighth proved to be costly as Kansas City fell 2-1 in the final game of the series.

Monarchs starter, Geison Urbaez earned his fourth start on the mound and went six innings with six strikeouts. He gave up no runs and had a terrific command on the bump.

With four scoreless frames, KC cracked the scoreboard in the fifth inning when Sahid Valenzuela earned the first knock of the night on a two-out double. The very next batter, Trevor Boone, lined a ball into right field and Valenzuela raced home to score to open up the game. Boone talks about his approach, “That at-bat doesn’t count unless (Geison) Urbaez is doing what he’s doing on the mound and Sahid (Valenzuela) doesn’t hit a double. Just trying to do my duty, get a good pitch, and put a good swing on it.”

 

Winnipeg found a response in the eighth inning when Adam Hall led off with a walk and then Noah Marcelo brought him home on a blooper to right center field. They took the lead for the first time in the game after Keshawn Lynch walked and then Raphael Pelletier smacked a line drive on the first base line to score Marcelo. It was a devastating blow to Kansas City and they were searching for an answer.

In the final frame, Hudson Head led off with a walk, but Luken Baker grounded into a double play which put the Monarchs in a tough position. They couldn’t put together a two-out rally and dropped their fourth straight contest.

It was the first time the Monarchs have been swept the entire year and now they have a chance to regroup for this weekend. With an off day tomorrow and a weekend series against the last place team in the league (Chicago Dogs), this team will surely respond.

Baker’s Homer Not Enough, Goldeyes Take Series

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Kansas City, KS — Contrary to yesterday, it was a low scoring contest in which the Monarchs fell to the Goldeyes with a 3-1 loss on Tuesday night.

Just as they did a game ago, Winnipeg started fast and on the second pitch of the game, Ray-Patrick Didder cranked a solo homer to open up the contest. Three batters later, Noah Marcelo doubled the lead on a deep shot into center and the Goldeyes had a quick 2-0 lead.

In the fourth frame, Ramon Bramasco belted his second homer of the series and it became a three-run advantage.

The veteran, Michael Mariot got the start on the bump and went six innings while giving up three runs, but threw three punch outs. It was a good night overall from Mariot, but it was three swings of the bat from Winnipeg that proved to be costly.

The Monarchs really struggled to collect hits tonight as they only had four in total with four left on base. They finally cracked the scoreboard in the seventh frame when Luken Baker smacked his 11th bomb of the season and second in two games. The Houston, TX native talked about his approach and the game, “In the first couple at bats, he had thrown a couple pitches that I wanted back. He gave me another one and I put a good swing on it. As for the rest of the night, we just have to do a little bit better hitting good pitches to hit hard. We will come back better tomorrow, but tonight was a little frustrating. ”

 

Unfortunately, that was the first and only time KC would score a run as they went on to drop their third-straight loss. The Monarchs will look to respond tomorrow night in the final game of the series.

Monarchs Ace, Ryan Garcia Signed to Cincinnati

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Kansas City, KS — After a standout season in Kansas City, Manager Joe Calfapietra announced that All-Star pitcher, Ryan Garcia’s contract was purchased by the Cincinnati Reds organization Tuesday afternoon.

This came at no surprise as Garcia had the fourth lowest ERA in the league (3.10) and led the Monarchs in wins with an 8-4 record. The California native totaled 65 strikeouts in 69.2 innings of work while also having the lowest WHIP in the association at 1.06. Garcia talks about what this moment means and says, “When Joe told me I was speechless – He wanted to tell me face-to-face, so he picked me up from apartment – and said you are going to be a Cincinnati Red. I didn’t know what was going to happen next after being released in Mexico – but it all ends up working out. When we first heard the news, I was transported back to rock bottom in Mexico – thinking how is all this going to work out?”

It certainly worked out for the former UCLA All-American as he earned the Carbliss June Pitcher of the Month including a pair of nine strikeout performances. This earned Garcia the starting spot in the All-Star game while representing the West Division. He adds, “With the Monarchs you are surrounded by good people.  A lot of things pointed me here to the Monarchs. We appreciate the game and do not take that for granted. I think Joe (Calfapietra) does a good job getting good humans beings first – and good baseball players second.”

This is the fifth Monarch and fourth pitcher to return back to affiliated ball this season. It will be the first time Garcia has returned back to the MiLB since his elected free agency in November of 2025. Calfapietra mentions, “We are so happy for Ryan to have this opportunity with the Cincinnati Reds, it is so well deserved. He had done nothing but been an outstanding pitcher for us and a model human being in our community for the Monarchs.” Ryan had the support behind him and continued to believe in himself, “I want to give all Glory to God first.  There was uncertainty, but I had a lot of faith and trusted him.  Thank you to our Chaplin Paster Jason, he kept things in focus for me and the rest of the team. I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to be a Monarch.  Thank you to Joe for his belief in me and thank you to (Pitching Coach) Matt Hall for their help along the way as well as the entire Monarchs baseball organization.”

The Monarchs continue a pipeline to the Reds organization as this is the third player to get picked up by Cincinnati. The skipper adds, “He is going to be missed, but we are so happy that he has this opportunity to move on. Ryan is getting the opportunity that we are hoping for all of our deserving players on this ball club. We are very fortunate to have so many talented players and staff member’s is our organization.”

Monarchs Come Up Short in High-Scoring Affair with Goldeyes

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Kansas City, KS — There were 20 combined runs on Monday night, but the Goldeyes held on with an 11-9 win over the Monarchs at Legends Field.

It was a really difficult start for Kansas City as they dug themselves a 9-0 hole in the first three innings of the game. Winnipeg got the bats rolling early with a five-run second inning. Max Murphy grabbed a two-run RBI single and then with three runners on, Adam Hall sliced a bases-clearing RBI-triple to jump into an early advantage.

The Goldeyes continued to put together an electric start and with two outs, Jiandido Tromp and Murphy hit back-to-back homers to jump into a 7-0 lead. Kevin Garcia doubled and then Ray-Patrick Didder cranked a two-run shot and it was all Winnipeg in the opening third.

Even though KC was down nine, they showed their resilience by illustrating an immediate response in the bottom of the third inning. Peyton Holt grabbed a knock, JD Davis doubled, and Hudson Head sent a grounder up the middle to get the Monarchs on the board. One batter later, Luken Baker blasted a three-run jack to cut the lead back to four in the blink of an eye.

 

KC continued to chip away as they tallied a run in the fourth and sixth. In the fourth inning, Holt doubled and got all the way to third which allowed Sahid Valenzuela to ground out into an RBI. Two frames later, Vega crossed home plate on the second RBI grounder from Valenzuela.

With seven unanswered Monarch runs, this was a 9-7 ballgame heading into the eighth. Winnipeg got on the board for the first time since the third inning when Adam Hall lined a ball up the middle to score Murphy.

There was a quick response from KC in the bottom of the frame as Valenzuela scored on an RBI groundout from Hudson Head. They got the lead within one when Baker drove a grounder up the middle and Holt scored for the third run of the day. Holt talked about his day and said, “We didn’t go out as well we wanted to, got off to a bad start being down eight or nine. You have to take pride in every pitch, every time I came up as a leadoff , I know we are down so you have to get on base, and let the big bats drive me in. I took pride in my approach, it worked out in the best way possible, and an unfortunate ending.”

Ramon Bramasco earned an insurance run in the top of the ninth on a solo homer to left field while the Monarchs could not find a way to put up two runs in the bottom of the inning and lost the opening game of the series. Game 2 will be played tomorrow at 6:35 at Legends Field.

Monarchs Fall in Series, Split Doubleheader with Explorers

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Sioux City, IA — There were 14 innings of baseball on Sunday afternoon as the Monarchs grabbed the first game, 5-2, but fell in the second contest with a 5-1 defeat.

Game 1

After three empty innings, the Monarchs opened the game’s scoring with a three-run fourth frame to jump in front. Kansas City got the bats started when Sahid Valenzuela singled followed by a Hudson Head walk and a Luken Baker base hit. The bases were juiced with no outs and KC was in a prime position to strike first. That’s exactly what they did as Trevor Boone drove a ground ball into left field that brought home a pair of runners. The Monarchs had the bases loaded once again and Luken Baker scored off a Brady Lindsly walk.

 

The Explorers found a response in the sixth frame when Austin Davis started the inning with a double. Davis stole two bases and crossed home plate for their first run. Shortly after, Monarchs left-hander, Sawyer Allen threw a wild pitch and Zac Vooletich scored to cut the deficit to one.

Jimmy Endersby started the day on the bump and threw two punch outs in five innings. The KC closer, Tyler Myrick recorded his fourth save of the season when he shoved in two K’s in the final frame.

Just when Sioux City was closing in, the Monarchs reestablished a three-run advantage. In the seventh inning, Peyton Holt grabbed a base hit and Austin Callahan registered a knock to put two runners on base. Later in the frame, the bases were loaded and Baker cranked a liner into left field to score Holt. Then Boone lifted a sac fly to add the fifth and final run of the game.

 

Game 2

The series was up for grabs, but Sioux City got off to a fast start in the second game. Davis tallied his second double of the afternoon and Vooletich sent him home on an RBI single in the first inning.

Sioux City kept finding ways to score runs as they grabbed one in the third and fourth. Brodie Kresser sent a solo homer to left field and then Jackson Van De Brake lifted a sac fly to score D’Shawn Knowles in the fourth inning.

The lone run for the Monarchs came in the top of the fifth when Saul Garza singled and Holt walked. With two outs on the board, Valenzuela put down his 17th RBI to bring in Garza. Unfortunately that was the only time the Monarchs would cross home plate.

 

It was a 3-1 deficit for KC, but Sioux City added two insurance runs in the bottom of the frame to seal a four-run victory and take the series.

Kansas City currently has a narrow three-game lead over the Sioux Falls Canaries in the West Division. They will look to build on that lead as they return home for a series against the Winnipeg Goldeyes starting on Monday night.

Fast Start from Kansas City, but Drop Opening Game in Sioux City

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Sioux City, IA — After a postponed game yesterday, the Monarchs got out to an early advantage, but gave up seven unanswered runs to go with a 7-5 defeat on Saturday night.

The Monarchs wasted no time cracking the scoreboard as they grabbed a pair of tallies in the opening frame. With two down, the Luken Baker and Trevor Boone one-two punch struck again. Baker doubled and then Boone blasted a two-run bomb to put KC in front. That was Boone’s 15th homer of the season and is now first on the team and third in the league.

In the third inning, Austin Callahan led off the frame with a base hit. Shortly after, Baker remained calm at the dish and drew a walk to put two runners on. Saul Garza’s only hit of the night was a line drive into center field to score Callahan and the Monarchs were all over the Explorers, but unfortunately Sioux City had an answer brewing.

 

It was three innings for the Explorers that won them this game. In the fourth inning, Alberto Osuna opened up with a liner into center. With one out, Jackson Van De Brake walked and then Dillon Tatum laced a three-run homer to tie up the game. The very next batter, Austin Davis, singled and then stole two bases which allowed Zac Vooletich to send him home on an RBI double. Sioux City found themselves in front for the first time in the game.

All-Star pitcher, Ryan Garcia, got his 12th start on the mound and gave up six hits and four runs with two K’s. Kansas City went through four pitchers in total tonight and they threw four punch outs combined tonight. A pitching staff with the league-leading ERA will surely respond tomorrow afternoon.

Sioux City managed to tack on a run in the fifth to make it a 5-3 lead. D’Shawn Knowles walked then got to third via steal and a balk. Zane Denton scored him when he reached base via fielders choice. The Explorers would not let up as they grabbed two more tallies in the sixth and had a four-run advantage.

KC showed their resilience by plating two runs in the seventh. Hudson Head kickstarted the inning with a double and then later in the frame, Grant Richardson smoked his 10th bomb of the season to cut the lead in half.

 

The Monarchs fought hard, but were not able to score a couple more runs as the Explorers took the upper hand in the series. That all can change tomorrow as a doubleheader will be played with the first game starting at 1:30. KC will finish out the seven-game road stand before heading back home for three games.

Head Steals the Show, Kansas City Sweeps Thrilling Doubleheader

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Cleburne, TX — When the Monarchs seemed down and out, they went on to snatch both games in the final frame with a 3-2 and 2-0 win to take the series on Wednesday night.

Game 1

In the first seven inning contest, Cleburne found a way to plate a run in the second frame. Cole Foster singled and Mallex Smith walked and both runners eventually got into scoring position. Brantley Bell lifted a sac fly to score Foster.

There were three scoreless innings of baseball and then the Railroaders doubled the lead in the sixth. Delino DeShields reached base via error and Cody Thomas grabbed a knock to put runners at the corners. It was Foster this time who returned the favor and sent a sac fly into right which brought in DeShields. It was a 2-0 game and only one inning to decide it.

37 year old, Michael Mariot made his first start for the Monarchs and went three innings while allowing a run, but managed to throw two K’s. Sawyer Allen impressed once again where he only gave up one hit and a run to go along with three punchouts.

The Monarchs had two hits in total and really struggled the entire game to get on base. Just when you thought this team was going to be shut out, they had other ideas.

In the seventh, there were two outs on the board and Cleburne just needed one more to open the doubleheader with a win. With their backs up against the wall, the Monarchs found a way. Trevor Boone reached first on a costly error by the Railroader third baseman. Saul Garza came up to bat and was extremely disciplined at the dish. It was a full count, Garza remained calm, and found a way to get walked to put two runners on. This brought up the former Pirates product, Hudson Head. Facing an 0-1 count, it was Heads moment to shine. He saw the pitch and belted a three-run go-ahead homer to give the Monarchs the lead. It was a picture perfect moment for Head and would go on to be the game-winning hit.

 

The Closer, Tyler Myrick, toed the slab in the bottom half of the seventh and recorded his third save of the season. Cleburne would not go away without a fight as DeShields got on base while Bell singled and Tostado walked. With two outs on the board, KC made the force at home and got DeShields out on the play. It was quite the ending and Kansas City stole the first game of the doubleheader.

Game 2

Just as the first game went, it was a fast moving game with a limited number of hits. There were six scoreless innings of baseball thanks to the work that Monarchs starter, Geison Urbaez did. He allowed four hits, but threw five punch outs and had  orchestrated a terrific response since his last outing.

The sixth inning was a huge turning point in the game as Cleburne surely looked like they were going to take the lead. The bases were loaded and there were no outs. Urbaez really had to dig deep and he did exactly that. He struck out Cody Thomas which brought in Cole Foster to ground out into a 6-4-3 double play that saved a run and the game remained at zero.

 

With two down in the seventh, it was Head who came to the rescue for the second-straight game. On the 2-2 service, he cracked a ball into center to stand up with a triple. All he needed was one swing from Luken Baker and he would be sent home. That’s exactly what he got as Baker ripped a ball into the gap and Head would score the game winning run. The bats started to come alive as Boone followed it up with a base hit and then Grant Richardson placed a ball into center to score Baker. It was a much needed insurance run to double the lead.

 

 

Jay Groome earned his first save of the season as he went three up and three down with one strikeout to close out an exciting night of baseball.

This was a crucial series win as the Monarchs now stand five games clear of Fargo and Sioux Falls. KC will have a travel day tomorrow as they get ready for a weekend series with the Sioux City Explorers. It is a 6:35 scheduled first pitch at Security National Bank Field on Friday night.

Monarchs Put Game to Bed In Final Three Innings, Soar Past Railroaders

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Cleburne, TX — After a heartbreaking loss last night, Kansas City quickly moved on and slashed Cleburne with a 13-2 win at La Moderna Field.

It was a fast start from the Monarchs and they cracked the scoreboard right from the jump. In the first inning, both JD Davis and Sahid Valenzuela walked while Austin Callahan advanced Davis on a fielders choice. Former Monarch and current starting Cleburne pitcher, Dakota Chalmers, committed a balk to bring home Davis for the first run. Trevor Boone and Hudson Head were both hit by a pitch that juiced up the bases. After a ball got behind catcher Angel Mendoza, Valenzuela scored to double the lead. Shortly after, Grant Richardson walked and it allowed Boone to add the third tally of the frame.

The Railroaders found a run back in the bottom of the inning, but that did not slow down KC in the second. Davis reached via error and Callahan singled to put two runners on. That brought in the former Diamondback, Luken Baker, who added an RBI double when he crushed a ball into center field. The game quickly changed into a 5-1 Monarch lead after two.

 

Monarchs southpaw, Austin Krob, got the start on the mound tonight in the same state where he played his affiliated ball. In six innings of work, the Iowa native threw five punchouts with two runs given up. It was another solid outing from the former Pirates product.

This was a 5-2 game heading into the seventh inning after Caleb McNeely homered in the third. Cleburne was in striking distance, but Kansas City had other ideas. To open up the frame, Callahan singled and then Baker was at it once again, but this time he would leave the yard on a two-run shot to left field. The Houston, TX native finished the night 2-5 to go with four RBI’s. Two batters later, Head would smash a solo blast to jump into a six-run advantage.

 

KC would continue to drive in runs and managed to do so with two outs on the board in the eighth. With Valenzuela at first and Richardson on second, Callahan delivered a ball into right field to bring in Richardson. The Railroaders had issues with the command as another passed ball got by Mendoza to score Valenzuela to bring the score to 10-2.

Just when you thought they were done, the Monarchs threw a knockout punch in the final inning. Boone doubled and Saul Garza tallied his only hit of the night to put the runners on. With two outs on the board and facing a 2-2 count, the lone star state native, Brady Lindsly belted a three-run homer to cap off the night.

It was quite the response from Kansas City given how the game ended yesterday and they will look to carry this momentum into tomorrow night. The two teams will finish the set with a doubleheader and the Monarchs will look to grab both games to win the series with first pitch at 4:00.

Monarchs Fall to Railroaders in Extras

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Cleburne, TX — In a tight-knit game, the Monarchs and the Railroaders went toe-to-toe on Monday night, but it was the Railroaders who came out on top with a 7-6 win.

The Railroaders wasted no time getting on the board at home when they put up a two-run first frame. Caleb McNeely became the first runner to reach base after he was walked and then Frankie Tostado singled to put the runners at the corners. After a wild pitch thrown by Monarchs starter, Darren McCaughan, McNeely raced home to put Cleburne in front. Later in the inning, Cole Foster grabbed a base hit on a blooper to left field to send home Tostado.

KC illustrated an immediate response in the top of the second as Trevor Boone and Saul Garza both grabbed their first knock of the night. Hudson Head added his 11th double this season when he smacked a liner into right field to send home Boone. The Monarchs quickly cut the lead in half.

 

McCaughan got the start on the bump for Kansas City and gave up nine hits to go with three runs in 5.2 innings of work. He was able to locate the zone with four punch outs on his third start in a Monarchs uniform. Jacob Gomez came on the mound in the sixth inning and threw two K’s with only one hit, it was another solid outing for the New Jersey native.

After two stolen bases, McNeely scored via error from Ryan Leitch in the fourth frame. It was a 3-1 advantage for Cleburne, but this game was far from over.

With two outs on the board in the fifth inning, JD Davis connected on the first pitch and cranked a solo homer to bring it back to a one-run game. The Monarchs tied it up in the sixth frame when Boone did what he knows best. He read the 0-1 pitch to perfection and belted the game-tying home run. The Tulsa, OK native now has four homers in his last four outings and 14 in total.

Kansas City took the first lead of the game in the seventh when Davis and Sahid Valenzuela both led off the inning with a single. With runners at first and second, Austin Callahan reached first via error from pitcher, Michael Reed and Davis crossed home plate.

This was a back-and-forth game as Cleburne grabbed the tying run in the eighth frame. Mason Minzey tripled and then scored on a passed ball from Tyler Myrick to notch the game at four apiece.

The game moved into extras and with already a runner on second, Callahan came through with a massive two-run blast into right field to give the Monarchs their largest lead of the night.

Unfortunately, Cleburne muscled in three tallies after a Delino Deshields walkoff hit to seal the win. Both these teams will be back at it again tomorrow night with a 7:06 first pitch. Kansas City will throw southpaw, Austin Krob while Cleburne will put former Monarch, Dakota Chalmers on the bump in what should be an action-packed Tuesday night.