Monarchs Pull Away from Explorers, Open Up Road Trip with Win

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Sioux City, IA — After a postponed game yesterday, Kansas City got some much needed rest and kickstarted the nine-game road trip with an 8-4 victory over the Sioux City Explorers.

It was Sioux City who threw the first punch in the opening frame as Braulio Vasquez cracked a two run homer to give the Explorers a quick and early lead.

The Monarchs wasted no time getting the bats rolling in the second inning. Sahid Valenzuela and JD Davis both singled and Brady Lindsly connected on his first pitch of the night with an RBI double to cut the lead in half.

KC made their move in the fourth frame when they muscled in four tallies to jump into a three-run advantage. Valenzuela grabbed a base hit and Davis cranked a double into right field to bring home Valenzuela. Lindsly continued an outstanding day at the plate with with a two-run shot to grab his fourth homer of the season. The Texas native finished the night going 3-4 at the dish with three RBI’s. The Monarchs grabbed the lead and they never let up. The inning continued with base hits from Josh Bissonette and Trevor Boone while Austin Callahan ripped a liner to score Bissonette and close out the frame.

Grant Gambrell made his second start for Kansas City and continued to produce another terrific performance. He gave up seven hits with two runs, but shoved in eight punch outs. The former NCAA national champion has now thrown 13 strikeouts with 12 innings of work in his second season as a Monarch.

In the sixth frame, Boone continued his remarkable return with another solo homer. Since coming back to the starting lineup on June 23rd, he has now homered in all three outings. The team leader in home runs, Saul Garza, was at it again with his 12th bomb of the season and is now two home runs shy of the lead.

Sioux City managed to earn a tally in the eighth and ninth inning but it was too little too late. Kansas City has now won four of five games against the Explorers this season. They will look to add their fifth when they meet for the second game of the set at 6:05 tomorrow night.