LINCOLN — In the final game before the American Association All-Star break, the Kansas City T-Bones (33-35) scored five times to pull away in the ninth in a 9-2 victory over the Saltdogs (34-32) in front of 3,626 fans at Haymarket Park Sunday afternoon.
Lincoln tied the game at 2-2 in the fifth on a Brian Joynt two-run homer to center, his sixth of the year.
The T-Bones quickly re-took the lead with two runs in the sixth, to make it 4-2 in the weekend's rubber game.
Jared Messer (2-2) pitched 2/3 of an inning of perfect relief to earn the win. Kevin McGovern (2-1) went six, allowing three earned on seven hits, striking out six and walking two to take the loss.
T.J. Mittelstaedt blasted a home run out of the ballpark in right to begin the game, his 11th. Robby Kuzdale added a two-run opposite field homer in the ninth, his seventh.
Saltdogs reliever Jhonny Montoya and manager Ken Oberkfell were ejected in the top of the ninth inning for arguing balls and strikes.
Lincoln is off Monday and Tuesday for the All-Star break, and continues its 10-game home stand Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. against Grand Prairie. For tickets, please visit www.saltdogs.com.