Saltdogs Unable to Stop Monarchs

Lincoln, Nebraska- The Kansas City Monarchs recorded fourteen hits and defeated the Lincoln Saltdogs 9-1, Saturday night at Haymarket Park.  Thirteen of the Monarchs hits were singles, and Luken Baker hit a solo home run.  Lincoln was led by Cary Arbolida with two hits, in the loss.

Kansas City (54-38) scored nine runs, off fourteen hits, with no errors, and left nine runners on base.  Lincoln (40-52) had one run, with four hits, no errors, and stranded three base runners.  Saturday night’s game lasted two hours and thirty-five minutes and was played in front of 3,218 fans.

The Monarchs started the scoring in the top of the first inning.  Facing Lincoln starter Cam Dayton, Tyler Gentry and Austin Callahan led off the game with back-to-back singles.  Then, Luken Baker singled, scoring Gentry, to make it 1-0.  The next batter, Saul Garza, hit into a double play, which allowed Callahan to score, making it a 2-0 Kansas City lead.

In the top of the sixth, Kansas City added another run.  Saul Garza led off the inning with a single.  Then, J.D. Davis singled.  Sahid Valenzuela drew a base on balls, to load the bases.  Then, Hudson Head grounded to second, forcing out Valenzuela, while Garza scored, to make it 3-0.

Luken Baker added to the Monarchs lead in the top of the seventh.  With two outs, he hit a solo home run to center field, to make the score, 4-0.

Lincoln got on the board in the bottom of the eighth.  Facing starting pitcher Jimmy Endersby, Cary Arbolida led off the inning with a single.  Calyn Halvorson hit a dribbler that was fielded by Endersby to record the first out, and Arbolida advanced to third.  Then, Jacob Morrow grounded out to shortstop, scoring Arbolida, to make it 4-1.

Kansas City put the game out of reach in the top of the ninth, by sending ten batters to the plate.  Facing reliever Drake LaRoche, Onix Vega led off the inning with a single.  Then, Tyler Gentry singled, putting runners at first and third.  Then, Austin Callahan hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Vega, to make it 5-1.  Then, Luken Baker singled.  Lincoln went to the bullpen and brought Jack Hill in, to pitch.  Saul Garza drew a walk.  Two batters later, Sahid Valenzuela was hit by a pitch, with the bases loaded, scoring Gentry, to make it 6-1.  Then, Hudson Head walked, scoring Baker, to make it 7-1.  The next batter, Jose Torres, singled, scoring Garza and Valenzuela, to make it 9-1, which turned out to be the final score.

Monarchs starting pitcher Jimmy Endersby (6-4) earned the win, pitching 7.2 innings, giving up one run, off three hits and struck out ten batters.  Emmanuel Chapman worked 0.1 inning, yielding one hit and struck out one.  Tyler Myrick pitched a clean ninth inning.

Lincoln starter Cam Dayton (3-3) took the loss, throwing 7.0 innings, giving up four runs, off ten hits and walked two.  Drake LaRoche pitched 1.1 innings, yielding three runs, off three hits.  Jack Hill pitched 0.2 innings, surrendering two runs, off one hit, struck out one and walked two.

Offensively for Kansas City, Tyler Gentry was 2-for-5.  Austin Callahan was 1-for-4 with an RBI.  Luken Baker went 3-for-5 with a solo home run and two runs batted in.  Sahid Valenzuela was 0-for-3 with an RBI.  Hudson Head was 1-for-4 with two runs batted in.  Jose Torres was 2-for-5 and drove in two runs.  Onix Vega was 3-for-5.

For the Saltdogs, Cary Arbolida was 2-for-3.

Saturday night, Sioux Falls recorded a victory, so Lincoln’s push to playoff qualification got a little tougher.  The Saltdogs trail fourth place Sioux Falls by five games, with eight games to play.  Those games include one more with Kansas City and three with Milwaukee, all at home.  Then, Lincoln concludes the regular season with four games at the Sioux Falls Canaries, over the Labor Day Holiday weekend.

Lincoln will try to salvage the final game of the series with Kansas City, Sunday afternoon.  RHP Cael Chatham (3-3, 7.36 ERA) will pitch for Lincoln.  LHP Sawyer Allen (3-1, 2.86 ERA) will be on the mound for Kansas City.  The first pitch at Haymarket Park will be 1:05 p.m.  The game will be broadcast on KFOR 101.5 FM/1240 AM and on: www.aabaseball.tv.

Sunday’s game is FAMILY FUNDAY SUNDAY! Fans can purchase a Ticket, Fairbury Brand Hot Dog, Chips, & Pepsi Fountain Soda, for just $18.  It is also Signature Sundays sponsored by Wild Dutchman, as a pair of Saltdogs players will sign autographs at the Welcome Center, 30 minutes prior to first pitch.  It is also Saltdogs Guaranteed Win Day. If the Saltdogs don’t win the 8/30 game, fans may exchange their ticket at the box office for a FREE ticket of equal or lesser value to the 9/1 home game, versus Milwaukee. Plus, Kids 12 & under receive a FREE General Admission ticket when wearing a youth sports jersey, sponsored by Spine & Sports Chiropractic.  For tickets, merchandise and more information, visit: www.saltdogs.com.