BATS BLAZING IN FIFTH FOR KC
It was the battle of the two number one teams in the American Association, the Kansas City Monarchs (18-7) in the West and the Chicago Dogs (17-8) in the East. After a slow start and the Dogs keeping a steady 1-0 through four innings, the Monarchs hit their stride, taking the first bite out of the Dogs with a final of 10-2.
Chicago got on the board early in the first inning with a lead off double to left from Charlie Tilson, followed two batters later by a K.C. Hobson double to take an early 1-0 lead.
Chicago’s starting pitcher, LHP Shane Barringer, dealt three consecutive one, two, three innings, leaving the Monarchs off the bases for the first 40 minutes of the game.
In the fifth inning, Matt Adams and Pete Kozma both drew walks to put runners at first and second. Alexis Olmeda then sent a ball down the third base line for a two-RBI double, allowing Kansas City to take the lead at 2-1. Joel Booker kept the inning going with a single up the middle, bringing in Olmeda to extend the lead to 3-1.
Monarchs starting pitcher Matt Hall (4-1) helped keep the 3-1 lead in the fifth by striking out the side. Hall kept dealing in the sixth with two consecutive strikeouts, ending the inning with one more, bringing him to 10 Ks to end the night.
Gaby Guerrero hit a double, followed by a David Thompson single to start the top of the sixth inning. With two outs and a pitching change from Chicago, Casey Gillaspie launched a three-run home run off right-hander Ryan Clark to give the Monarchs an impressive lead at 6-1 in the sixth.
In the bottom of the seventh, Chicago’s Harrison Smith reached first base on a single to center before a Connor Kopach double brought in Smith, cutting into the Monarchs lead at 6-2. Monarchs left hander Jacob Lindgren escaped a bases-loaded seventh with a key strikeout.
Pete Kozma reached first base in the top of the eighth before Olmeda brought him in with an RBI double. Joel Booker booked it around the bases for an RBI triple. Guerrero ended the inning with an RBI single of his own, bringing the Monarchs lead to 9-2.
In the ninth, the Monarchs kept rounding the bases as Jan Hernandez got to first after a hit-by-a-pitch. Gillaspie walked before Pete Kozma hit one for a fielder’s choice, bringing in Hernandez for an RBI, making the final score 10-2.
Lindgren controlled the last two innings with a final line of 2.2 IP, 4H, 1R and 5 strikeouts.
The Monarchs will play game two in Chicago tomorrow (6/11) at 6 p.m. The game can be heard on the Monarchs Broadcast Network with the pre-game beginning at 5:30 p.m. and the video stream airing on aabaseball.tv.
Tickets to all Monarchs games can be purchased by calling 913-328-5618 or by visiting monarchsbaseball.com. For additional information or interview requests, members of the media may contact the Monarchs Media Relations Department at (817) 739-3693. Stay tuned to monarchsbaseball.com. and the Monarchs Facebook and Twitter pages for updates throughout the season.
WP: Matt Hall (4-1)
LP: Shane Barringer (2-2)
S: N/A
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