By ASHLEY DUNKAK, www.tbonesbaseball.com
The T-Bones put the Diablos in a hole early, scoring six runs in the second inning on their way to a win in which they led the entire game.
Kala Ka’aihue singled in Ray Sadler to give Kansas City a 1-0 lead with no outs. Diablos pitcher Reymond Cruz struck out the next two batters, but a single by Bubby Williams scored Hunter Mense, giving the T-Bones a 2-0 lead.
Ka’aihue and Williams scored on a Gus Milner single, opening up a 4-0 lead. Kansas City’s advantage grew to 6-0 when Brandon Jones singled in Justin Bass and Diablos right fielder J.J. Muse committed an error that allowed Milner to score.
El Paso pulled within 6-1 in the top of the fifth when Muse doubled in Jonathan Cisneros.
Any glimmer of hope that run provided did not last long, as Sadler led off the bottom of the fifth with a solo home run, giving the T-Bones a 7-1 advantage. A solo homer by Ka’aihue in the eighth made it 8-1.
Kansas City starter Shaun Garceau pitched eight full innings, allowing just one unearned run among seven hits while striking out three.
Manager Kenny Hook had planned to keep Garceau on a pitch count of about 85 to 90 pitches but decided to let the starter continue based on his performance and how his arm felt.
“Once we got to the pitch count, his response was that he felt great,” Hook said. “I was thinking about bringing a guy in in the eighth, but he said that he felt that good, so we just let him go one more.”
The win lifts Kansas City to 14-16. The T-Bones play El Paso again tomorrow at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. The first pitch is set for 7:05. Tickets are available by calling 913-328-5618.
