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.