Head Steals the Show, Kansas City Sweeps Thrilling Doubleheader

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.