Lincoln Unable to Salvage Series Finale with Kansas City

(Photo courtesy of Kansas City Monarchs)

Kansas City, Kansas- The Lincoln Saltdogs scored three runs in the top of the first inning, but Kansas City plated four in the bottom half of the first, and went on to defeat Lincoln, 8-4, Thursday night at Legends Field.  The Monarchs completed a three-game sweep of the series, while handing the Saltdogs their fourth consecutive loss.

Kansas City (48-35) scored eight runs, off eleven hits, with no errors, and left seven runners on base.  Lincoln (37-46) had four runs, with seven hits, committed one error, and left four runners aboard.  Thursday night’s game lasted two hours and twenty-eight minutes and was played in front of 879 fans.

Facing Kansas City starter Sawyer Allen, Cary Arbolida hit a one-out single, to start the action in the top of the first.  Jairo Pomares doubled to put runners at second and third.  Then, Tanner O’Tremba hit a three-run home run, just inside the right field foul pole, to make it a 3-0 Lincoln lead.

The Monarchs responded in the bottom of the first.  Facing Lincoln starter Foster Pace, Tyler Gentry led off the inning with a triple to left centerfield.  Then, Austin Callahan singled, scoring Gentry, to make it 3-1.  Luken Baker singled, to put runners at the corners.  Then, Grant Richardson singled, scoring Callahan, to make it 3-2.  Two batters later, Sahid Valenzuela doubled to right, scoring Baker and Richardson, to make it a 4-3 Kansas City lead.

In the bottom of the third, Grant Richardson extended the Kansas City advantage by hitting a lead-off solo home run to left, to make it 5-3.

Then, Kansas City put the game out of reach in the bottom of the fourth.  Tyler Gentry led off with by getting hit by a pitch.  Austin Callahan singled.  Then, Luken Baker hit a three-run home run to straight-away center field, to make it 8-3.

Lincoln got a run back in the top of the seventh.  Facing reliever, Nate Webb, Griffin Everitt hit a solo home run to left field, to make it 8-4, however, that would be the final score.

Kansas City starting pitcher Sawyer Allen (2-1) earned the win, pitching 6.0 innings, giving up three runs, off six hits, struck out four and walked one.  Nate Webb pitched 1.0 inning, giving up one run, off one hit and struck out three.  Michael Reed worked 1.0 inning and struck out two.  Wyatt Wendell pitched a clean ninth inning.

Saltdogs starter Foster Pace (4-4) took the loss, pitching 5.0 innings, giving up eight runs, off eight hits and struck out seven.  Drake LaRoche worked 1.0 inning, gave up two hits and struck out one.  Jeferson Figueroa pitched 1.0 inning, yielding one hit and struck out two.  Ryan Spalliero worked 1.0 inning, struck out two and walked two.

Offensively for the Monarchs, Tyler Gentry was 2-for-3.  Austin Callahan was 2-for-5 with an RBI.  Luken Baker was 2-for-5 with a three-run home run.  Grant Richardson went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and two runs batted in.  Sahid Valenzuela was 2-for-4 with two RBIs.

For Lincoln, Tanner O’Tremba was 1-for-4 with a three-run home run.  Calyn Halvorson went 2-for-4.  Griffin Everitt was 1-for-4 with a solo home run.

Lincoln returns home to begin a three-game series against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, Friday night.  RHP Jacob Hughes (5-2, 4.99 ERA) will pitch for the Saltdogs.  LHP Patrick Wicklander (3-2, 6.28 ERA) will be on the mound for Fargo-Moorhead.  The first pitch at Haymarket Park will be 7:05 p.m.  The game will be broadcast on KFOR 101.5 FM/1240 AM and on: www.aabaseball.tv.

Friday’s game is 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.