Grening's strong eight-inning performance puts T-Bones back in the win column

Behind another strong pitching performance by Brian Grening, the T-Bones had better luck in the second game of the series against the Amarillo Sox Friday night winning, 3-1 at CommunityAmerica Ballpark in front of 5,966 fans in a contest that lasted 2 hours, 25 minutes.

Grening (4-2) held the Sox at bay, giving up only one run and six hits, leaving after giving up a lead-off double in the ninth. Jake Wiley came in and picked up the save, his sixth of the season.

“He threw great,” manager Kenny Hook said of Grening, who’s now gone at least eight innings in four of his last five starts. “Wiley was ready to start the ninth, but I liked Grening’s chances against the left-handed hitter (Jake Opitz). Grening wouldn’t have necessarily stayed in the game if he’d gotten the out there. We were playing it by ear.”

The T-Bones took the lead in the first inning when Brandon Jones and Ray Sadler scored on an RBI double by Hunter Mense.

Pitching with a two-run lead, Grening’s only mistake came in the fifth inning when he gave up a home run to Chuck Lofgren to center field.

With the win, the T-Bones are 17-17 on the season. Kansas City plays the third of a four-game series with the Amarillo Sox on Saturday night at 7:05 at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. Tickets are available by calling 913-328-5618.