Lincoln, Nebraska- Luken Baker homered in his second straight game, and the Kansas City Monarchs defeated the Lincoln Saltdogs, 7-4, Sunday afternoon at Haymarket Park. With the victory, Kansas City completed a sweep of the three-game series. Connor Bagnieski recorded three hits for Lincoln, in the loss.
Kansas City (55-38) scored seven runs, off fifteen hits, committed no errors, and left ten runners on base. Lincoln (40-53) had four runs, with ten hits, one error, and left seven runners on base. Sunday afternoon’s game lasted two hours and forty minutes and was played in front of 2,127 fans.
The Monarchs jumped on the scoreboard in the top of the first inning. Facing Lincoln starting pitcher Cael Chatham, Austin Callahan hit a one-out single. Then, Luken Baker hit a two-run home run to left field, to make it 2-0.
In the top of the second, Kansas City added two more runs. With one out, Brady Lindsly doubled. Then, Tyler Gentry singled, scoring Lindsly. The next batter, Austin Callahan singled. The ball bounced away from Lincoln second baseman Connor Bagnieski and Gentry scored, to make it 4-0.
Kansas City added three more runs in the top of the fifth. Grant Richardson led off the inning with a single. Then, Saul Garza doubled. The next batter, Sahid Valenzuela drew a walk, to load the bases. Lincoln went to the bullpen and brought in Ryan Rembisz. The next batter, Hudson Head, singled, scoring Richardson. Then, J.D. Davis singled, scoring Garza. The next batter, Brady Lindsly, singled, bringing home Valenzuela, to make it a 7-0 Monarchs lead.
Lincoln got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the seventh. Facing reliever Ryan Anderson, Cary Arbolida drew a one-out walk. Then, Connor Bagnieski singled. The next batter, Calyn Halvorson, singled, to load the bases. Two batters later, Jacob Morrow singled, scoring Arbolida and Bagnieski, to make the score, 7-2.
The Saltdogs plated two more runs in the bottom of the eighth. Facing reliever Wyatt Wendell, Jairo Pomares hit a one-out single. Then, Jake Hjelle drew a walk. Cary Arbolida hit a chopper, back to the mound, for the second out, advancing the runners to second and third. Then, Connor Bagnieski singled, scoring Pomares and Hjelle, to make it 7-4. However, that would be the final score of the game.
Kansas City starter Sawyer Allen (4-1) earned the win, pitching 6.0 innings, giving up four hits, struck out four and walked two. Ryan Anderson threw 1.0 inning, yielding two runs, off three hits, struck out two and walked one. Wyatt Wendell worked 1.0 inning, giving up two runs, off two hits and walked one. Tyler Myrick (7) earned the save, pitching 1.0 inning, giving up one hit and struck out one.
Lincoln starting pitcher Cael Chatham (3-4) took the loss, pitching 4.0 innings, giving up seven runs, off nine hits, struck out one and walked four. Ryan Rembisz threw 2.0 innings, yielding three hits. Tyler Stasiowski pitched a clean seventh inning. Gabriel Jaramillo threw 1.0 inning, giving up two hits and struck out three. Zac McCleve pitched 1.0 inning, yielding one hit and struck out one.
Offensively for the Monarchs, Tyler Gentry was 1-for-4 with an RBI. Austin Callahan was 3-for-4. Luken Baker went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run. Grant Richardson was 2-for-4. Saul Garza was 2-for-5. Hudson Head and J.D. Davis were both 1-for-5 with an RBI, each. Brady Lindsly was 2-for-4 and drove in one run.
For the Saltdogs, Jairo Pomares was 2-for-4. Connor Bagnieski was 3-for-3 with two RBIs. Jacob Morrow was 1-for-3 and drove in two runs.
With the Lincoln loss and a Sioux Falls victory on Sunday, Lincoln now trails the fourth-place Canaries in the West Division by six games, with seven games remaining for playoff qualification. The Saltdogs have Monday off and return to action Tuesday, by hosting the Milwaukee Milkmen in the first game of a three-game series. RHP Foster Pace (3-4, 5.82 ERA) will pitch for Lincoln. RHP Angelo Cabral (0-2, 4.66 ERA) will be on the mound for Milwaukee. The first pitch will be 6:35 p.m. The game will be broadcast on KFOR 101.5 FM/1240 AM and on: www.aabaseball.tv.
Tuesday’s game is TRIPLE PLAY TUESDAY! sponsored by Celerion. Fans may donate three (3) school supply items for Lincoln Public Schools Community Learning Centers and receive a FREE General Admission ticket. It’s also Taco Tuesday. Get two tacos for $6. Plus receive $2 OFF popcorn, waffle cones, lemonade, and limeade. For tickets, merchandise and more information, visit: www.saltdogs.com.