KANSAS CITY, Kan. — In a game that saw record-setting power, the Kansas City T-Bones (2-2) outslugged the Saltdogs (2-2) 14-10 in front of 2,840 fans at CommunityAmerica Ballpark Monday night.
Ian Gac opened the game's scoring with a grand slam for the 'Dogs in the top of the third, his second home run of the year. But Kansas City responded with a league record five home runs in the bottom of the third to take a 9-4 lead.
Trailing 14-7 going into the ninth, the 'Dogs scored three runs and brought the possible tying run to the plate with one out but could not come any closer.
Aaron Tullo (1-0) pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing five runs on eight hits while striking out four and walking one to pick up the win. Matt Bywater (0-1) surrendered six runs in 2 1/3 (all in the third) with five strikeouts to suffer the loss. Jhonny Montoya booked the final out of the game to notch his second save.
The T-Bones five home runs in the bottom of the third is a new American Association record for home runs in an inning.
Gac finished the night 4-for-5 with a grand slam and five RBI. Jeremy Mayo homered for the second straight game, and Daniel Carroll went deep as well.
Travis Parker pitched 2 2/3 solid innings of relief, allowing just one run on one hit while striking out four. The Saltdogs outhit Kansas City 16-15.
The Saltdogs and T-Bones play game two of the three-game series Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. Joe Bisenius (0-0, 40.50) will take the mound against Shaun Garceau (0-1, 10.80. Radio coverage begins at 6:35 p.m. on KFOR 1240.