KANSAS CITY, Kan.—Playing their second doubleheader in a row the Kansas City Monarchs (22-17) dropped both games to the visiting Lincoln Saltdogs (20-19) Friday night at Legends Field.
Game 1
In game one of a double header, Kansas City lost 7-5 to Lincoln. Pitching struggles and a slow start on offense gave the Saltdogs the advantage in the first outing.
With RHP Nick Travieso on the mound for the Monarchs, the Saltdogs got things started in the first inning with a solo home run from Forrestt Allday to gain an early 1-0 lead. They would not hold the lead for long as Jan Hernandez tied the game 1-1 with a solo home run of his own for his eleventh of the season.
In the third inning, with a runner in scoring position at third base for the Saltdogs, a wild pitch from Travieso that got past catcher, Morgan McCullough, brought the runner in to score as the Saltdogs took back the lead 2-1.
After a quiet few innings on the bats for both teams, the Saltdogs took control over the whole game. A two-run home run from Josh Altmann added to their lead, putting Lincoln up 4-1.
Travieso gave up four runs on five hits with three strikeouts in five and a third innings pitched.
LHP Elroy Urbina entered the game in the sixth inning, replacing Travieso. The pitching struggles continued as Urbina gave up a double to his first batter and immediately gave up an RBI single that helped the Saltdogs add to their lead, making it a 5-1 game. The Saltdogs were not done, as an RBI double by Yanio Perez made it a 6-1 contest.
Urbina was pulled without recording an out, putting RHP Ramsey Romano on the mound next.
With runners at second and third with one out in the sixth, the Saltdogs continued to add runs on the board. A ground out drove in the runner from third, putting Lincoln up 7-1.
The Monarchs got some things going in the bottom of the seventh inning, trying to mount a comeback. With a Colin Willis single, a walk by Charcer Burks, and single from Will Kengor, the bases were loaded for Kansas City with one out. McCullough advanced to first on a fielder's choice, driving in Willis to cut the game to 7-2. Kevin Santa would then single to drive in another run for the Monarchs, making it 7-3. Ryan Grotjohn then walked and loaded the bases again with two outs, bringing Jan Hernandez to the plate.
Hernandez would walk and the Monarchs bring in another run, making it a 7-4 game. Gabby Guerrero up to bat with bases loaded once again. Guerrero would take a walk as well, cutting it to 7-5 for the Saltdogs. Casey Gillaspie would pop out to the third baseman in foul territory to end the game.
Game 2
The Lincoln Saltdogs (20-19) have seemed to have the Monarchs number all season long. Kansas City (22-17) entered the nightcap of the double-header 1-5 against the visitors from Nebraska and were looking to change that.
The Saltdogs continued their strong offensive efforts in the early going of game two. They were able to notch two runs off of Monarchs starter, Justin Shafer. A pair of singles and a sacrifice fly put the ‘dogs on top.
It wasn’t until the bottom of the fourth inning when the Monarchs earned their first run off of a steaming ground ball hit by Charcer Burks. The hit drove in Jan Hernandez who reached base by way of a walk to lead off the inning.
Right-handed pitcher, Ryan Newell got his first ever appearance in the Kansas City pinstripes. Newell reached his way to the Monarchs active roster on June 26th. He came into the game in relief for Jacob Lindgren in the fifth inning. The reliever worked his way out of a jam and finished his first inning cleanly. Newell did not allow a run, nor a hit, but walked one, and struck-out one as well.
The Monarchs struggled all night offensively, only recording four hits in game number two. Lincoln’s pitching staff was nearly dominant. Their rotation of Minier, Hope, Lombana, and Pugliese held the hometown team to just a single run.
Carlos Diaz finished the game off for the Monarchs on the mound. He made quick work, striking out the first two batters, walking the third, then striking out the fourth to end the top of the seventh inning.
In their last chance at the plate, the Monarchs went down swinging. Burks and Willis both went down on strikes to begin the inning. Cather, Alexis Olmeda kept the game alive with a two-out single right back up the middle. The torch was then passed on to Kevin Santa who grounded out into a fielder's choice to end the game. The Saltdogs took game two, 2-1.
The Kansas City Monarchs will face the Lincoln Saltdogs in the third game of the series on Saturday night. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. with the gates opening at 5 p.m. Check the night sky after the conclusion of the game for a full firework display. The game can be heard on the Monarchs Broadcast Network with the pre-game beginning at 6:35 p.m. and the video stream airing on aabaseball.tv.