Fargas Drives In Five, Monarchs Clinch Series In Fargo

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FARGO, N.D. — Johneshwy Fargas drove in five runs, and the Kansas City Monarchs kept rolling Wednesday night, knocking off the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks 8-5 at Newman Outdoor Field.

Wednesday’s victory is Monarchs’ 12th in their last 13 games; they’re now 19-4 after a 1-5 road trip to start the season. It locks up the Monarchs’ eight straight series victory.

Fargas went 3-for-5 on the night, including a two-run home run in the fifth.

“I’m just enjoying the game right now, just doing my thing,” Fargas said. “Right now we have a great group of guys, so we’re playing as a team. It’s fun to watch us playing right now.”

Cody Deason earned the win for Kansas City on the mound, tossing five innings of two-run ball against a tough RedHawks lineup. Closer Patrick Weigel earned a four-out save.

It’s a big series victory for the Monarchs after both teams entered the three-game set 9-1 in their last 10 games.

“We’re ready to face anybody in the league,” Fargas said. “We have the best team in the league right now.”

The Monarchs will go for the sweep Thursday night at 7:02 p.m. Former Kansas City Royal Brandon Finnegan will start for the Monarchs.

Kansas City got on the board in the first inning, loading the bases on three walks from RedHawks starter Kevin McGovern. Gavin Collins opened the scoring with an RBI single, and Edwin Diaz followed him up with a sacrifice fly.

Fargas gave the Monarchs a 3-run run cushion with his homer, a first-pitch blast out to left field off McGovern. Kansas City led 5-2 after four.

John Silviano cut the lead to two with a solo homer in the 6th off Trey Jeans. It was the first home run Jeans allowed all season, snapping a 15-inning scoreless streak for the left-hander.

Fargas capped off his night at the plate with a two-run single in the eighth inning, putting the Monarchs ahead 8-3.

Fargo-Moorhead threatened to get back in it in the bottom of the eighth, drawing back-to-back bases-loaded walks off Alex Valdez. Kansas City manager Joe Calfapietra called on Weigel, who got Manny Boscan to ground out and end the inning.

Weigel worked around a two-out walk to throw a hitless ninth, finishing off the victory.