Kansas City Walks-Off Lincoln in Series Opener

(Photo courtesy of Kansas City Monarchs)

Kansas City, Kansas- Tyler Gentry delivered a one-out RBI single in the bottom of the ninth and the Kansas City Monarchs defeated the Lincoln Saltdogs, 3-2, Tuesday evening at Legends Field.  Cam Dayton pitched seven strong innings, and Cary Arbolida had an RBI single, in the loss.

Kansas City (46-35) scored three runs, off nine hits, committed one error, and left eight runners on base.  Lincoln (37-44) had two runs, with four hits, two errors, and left three runners aboard.  Tuesday night’s game lasted two hours and nine minutes and was played in front of 788 fans.

Lincoln grabbed the lead in the top of the first.  Facing Kansas City starter Jimmy Endersby, Nick Shumpert reached on a one-out single, then stole second base.  Two batters later, Cary Arbolida singled, scoring Shumpert, to make it 1-0.  The next batter, Connor Bagnieski, singled to center, and the ball got underneath Hudson Head’s glove and rolled all the way to the warning track, allowing Arbolida to score, to make it 2-0.

The Monarchs tied the score in the bottom of the fourth.  Facing Lincoln starter Cam Dayton, Luken Baker led off the inning with a single.  Two batters later, Grant Richardson singled.  Then, Sahid Valenzuela singled to load the bases.  The next batter, J.D. Davis singled to center field scoring Baker and Richardson to tie the score at 2-2.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, facing reliever Gabriel Jaramillo, Hudson Head led off the inning with a single.  Onix Vega’s bunt sacrificed Head to second.  Then, Tyler Gentry singled to center, scoring Head, and giving Kansas City the 3-2 victory.

Kansas City starting pitcher Jimmy Endersby threw 7.0 innings, giving up two runs, one earned, off four hits and struck out six.  Durbin Feltman (2-1) earned the win, pitching 2.0 innings, struck out one and walked one.

Lincoln starter Cam Dayton pitched 7.0 innings, giving up two runs, off seven hits, struck out seven and walked two.  Tyler Stasiowski threw 1.0 inning and struck out two.  Gabriel Jaramillo (2-3) took the loss, pitching 0.1 inning, yielding one run, off two hits.

Offensively for the Monarchs, Tyler Gentry was 1-for-5 with an RBI.  Austin Callahan was 2-for-4.  J.D. Davis was 2-for-4 with two runs batted in.

For the Saltdogs, Cary Arbolida was 1-for-4 with an RBI.

Game two of the mid-week series is Wednesday night. RHP Cael Chatham (3-3, 6.66 ERA) will pitch for Lincoln.  RHP Emmanuel Chapman (0-1, 3.00 ERA) will be on the mound for Kansas City.  The first pitch at Legends Field will be 6:35 p.m.  The game will be broadcast on KFOR 101.5 FM/1240AM and on: www.aabaseball.tv.

The next home game for the Saltdogs will be Friday, August 21^st, when they host the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, with first pitch at Haymarket Park at 7:05 p.m.  The game will be FREE T-SHIRT FRIDAY! sponsored by Abante Marketing.  Also, there will be a Saltdogs Tote Bag Giveaway, sponsored by Assurity.  In addition, there will be Post-Game Fireworks sponsored by Pepsi Cola of Lincoln.  Plus, as part of the 25th Season Celebration, is the host family recognition.  For tickets, merchandise and more information, visit: www.saltdogs.com.