Goddard, Mendez Pitch Monarchs To Series Split

CLEBURNE, Texas — Jackson Goddard threw six solid innings, Leam Mendez dug deep for the final three and the Kansas City Monarchs edged the Cleburne Railroaders 3-2 Sunday night from La Moderna Field.

Goddard struck out eight across six-plus innings of two-run ball. Mendez got the final nine outs without allowing a run, throwing 46 pitches to earn the win.

Jaylyn Williams went 3-for-4 to lead the Monarchs offensively, delivering a sacrifice fly in the top of the ninth inning to drive in the winning run.

The victory secures a six-game series split for the Monarchs. They dropped the first three games in Cleburne before rallying to win the final three.

Kansas City (25-13) retains the best record in the American Association, 1.5 games over second-place Sioux City.

Josh Bissonette went 2-for-4 for the Monarchs, including an RBI single to give KC a 1-0 lead in the second inning.

Jorge Bonifacio scored the game’s second run in the sixth on a wild pitch from Cleburne starter Kade Mechals.

Mechals went six innings for the Railroaders (21-19), allowing two runs on five hits, walking five and striking out two.

Goddard had retired 11 straight batters when he came out for the seventh inning. He allowed a solo home run to Aaron Altherr and a single to Korry Howell before being pulled for Mendez.

The former Kansas Jayhawk allowed five hits and two walks to go with his eight strikeouts.

Mendez gave up a sac fly from Andres Sosa to score Howell and tie the game, but allowed only three baserunners thereafter. Cleburne got the tying run to scoring position in the ninth, but Cooper Weiss lined out to left to end the game.

UP NEXT

Kansas City takes a day off Monday before starting a three-game series in Lincoln against the Saltdogs. Blake Goldsberry will start Tuesday for Kansas City as he moves from the bullpen to the rotation. Nate Blain will take the ball for Lincoln in the series opener, which is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.