Lincoln Falls to Kansas City in Slugfest

(Photo courtesy of Kansas City Monarchs)

Kansas City, Kansas- Lincoln and Kansas City combined to hit five home runs on Wednesday night in a contest which the Monarchs claimed by a final score of 12-8.  Luken Baker homered and drove in five for Kansas City, while Jairo Pomares, Tanner O’Tremba and Calyn Halvorson hit home runs for Lincoln, in the loss.

Kansas City (47-35) scored twelve runs, off ten hits, committed two errors, and left seven runners on base.  Lincoln (37-45) had eight runs, with eleven hits, no errors, and left nine runners aboard.  Wednesday night’s game at Legends Field lasted two hours and fifty-nine minutes and was played in front of 738 fans.

The Monarchs started the scoring in the bottom of the second.  Facing Lincoln starter Cael Chatham, Hudson Head hit a two-out solo home run to right field, to make it 1-0.

In the bottom of the third, Kansas City added three more runs.  With one out, Tyler Gentry singled.  Then, Austin Callahan drew a walk.  The next batter, Luken Baker, hit a two-rbi double to right-centerfield, to make it 3-0.  Two batters later, Saul Garza singled, scoring Baker, to make it a 4-0 Kansas City lead.

Lincoln responded in the top of the fourth by sending twelve batters to the plate.  Facing Kansas City starter Emmanuel Chapman, Jairo Pomares hit a solo home run to right field.  His 14^th homer of the season made it 4-1.  Then, Cary Arbolida singled.  Two batters later, Calyn Halvorson delivered a base hit.  Then, Tanner O’Tremba hit a three-run home run to left field.  His ninth home run of the season tied the score at 4-4.  Jake Hjelle reached on a throwing error by Austin Callahan at second base.  Two batters later, Cam Phelts singled.  Kansas City went to the bullpen and brought in Jacob Gomez, to pitch.  The next batter, Nick Shumpert, doubled down the left field line, scoring Hjelle and Phelts, putting Lincoln ahead 6-4.  Then, Jairo Pomares singled, scoring Shumpert, to make it a 7-4 Lincoln lead.

Kansas City put together it’s biggest offensive inning in the bottom of the fifth.  Tyler Gentry led off the inning by getting hit by a pitch, then took second on a wild pitch.  Austin Callahan drew a walk.  Then, Luken Baker hit a three-run home run to left field, to tie the score at 7-7.  Three batters later, Sahid Valenzuela singled.  Lincoln went to the bullpen and brought in Harold Cortijo.  Valenzuela stole second base.  Then, Hudson Head singled, to put the Monarchs in front, 8-7.  The next batter, J.D. Davis, doubled, scoring Head, to make it a 9-7 Kansas City lead.

The Monarchs added two more in the bottom of the sixth.  Tyler Gentry led off the inning by getting hit by a pitch, then took second on a wild pitch.  Austin Callahan walked.  Then another wild pitch moved the runners to second and third.  Luken Baker drew a walk, to load the bases.  Lincoln went to the bullpen and brought in Ryan Rembisz.  Two batters later, Saul Garza grounded to second, forcing out Baker, and Gentry scored, to make it 10-7.  Then, Rembisz struck out Valenzuela swinging, however a dropped third strike by Morrow allowed Valenzuela to reach first, and Callahan to score, to make it 11-7.

Lincoln got one run back in the top of the eighth.  Facing reliever Ryan Middendorf, Calyn Halvorson hit a one-out solo home run to left field.  His seventh home run of the year make it 11-8.

Kansas City recorded the final tally in the bottom of the eighth.  Facing reliever Jack Hill, Saul Garza hit a two-out single.  Then, Sahid Valenzuela doubled to center field, scoring Garza, to make it 12-8, which would be the final score.

Monarchs’ starter Emmanuel Chapman pitched 3.2 innings, giving up six runs, five earned, off five hits, struck out three and walked one.  Jacob Gomez pitched 0.1 inning, yielding one run off three hits.  Jeff Hakanson (3-1) earned the win, throwing 1.0 inning, giving up one hit and struck out one.  Jack Walker pitched 1.1 innings and walked one.  Ryan Middendorf worked 0.2 innings, yielding one run, off one hit and struck out one.  Wyatt Wendell pitched a clean eighth inning.  Tyler Myrick pitched 1.0 inning, giving up one hit, struck out one and walked one.

Saltdogs’ starting pitcher Cael Chatham (3-4) took the loss, pitching 4.2 innings, giving up eight runs, off six hits, struck out five and walked three.  Harold Cortijo pitched 0.1 inning, surrendering three runs, off two hits and walked two.  Ryan Rembisz threw 2.0 innings, struck out two and walked two.  Jack Hill worked 1.0 inning, gave up one run, off two hits and struck out three.

Offensively for Kansas City, Luken Baker was 2-for-4 with a three-run home run and five RBIs.  Saul Garza was 2-for-5 and drove in two runs.  Sahid Valenzuela was 2-for-5 with an RBI.  Hudson Head went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and drove in two.  J.D. Davis was 1-for-3 with one run batted in.

For Lincoln, Nick Shumpert was 2-for-5 with two RBIs.  Jairo Pomares was 2-for-5 with a solo home run and two runs batted in.  Cary Arbolida was 2-for-5.  Calyn Halvorson was 2-for-4 with a solo home run.  Tanner O’Tremba went 3-for-4 with a three-run home run.

The final game of the series is Thursday night.  RHP Foster Pace (4-3, 5.50 ERA) will pitch for Lincoln.  LHP Sawyer Allen (1-1, 1.96 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/1240 AM 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.