SUNDAY: In the top of the ninth inning with one out, T-Bones closer Jake Wiley faced a bases-loaded jam with league-leading hitter Tim Alberts at the plate.
Wiley struck him out and went on to get his seventh save one batter later, as Kansas City defeated Amarillo 6-3 on Sunday night in front of 5,207 at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.
“It’s not the way you want it to happen, walking the first guy he faced, but he’s got good enough stuff to pitch behind in the count, and that’s why he’s a closer,” T-Bones manager Kenny Hook said. “He’s got closer-type stuff. I don’t like the fact that he put that many guys on base in the ninth, but a save is a save, and a win is a win, so I’m happy that he got another save.”
After Kansas City took a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the first, Amarillo added single runs in the third and fifth innings, tying the game at 3-3. Kansas City took control in the seventh on a three-run homer by Ray Sadler.
Third baseman Enrique Cruz, whom the T-Bones announced earlier in the day they had acquired in a trade for Reid Fronk and Nick Singleton, pinch-hit for Spiker Helms in the sixth. He then singled in the eighth.
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SATURDAY: For a second time in four games, Kansas City pounded out at least 17 hits and took advantage of five Amarillo errors hits as the T-Bones beat the Sox 16-4 on Saturday night in front of 8,103 fans.
The T-Bones started the game strong with lead-off double by Justin Bass and then, two batters after Gus Milner walked, Ray Sadler hit a three-run homer. Kansas City added another run later in the inning. With only one out in the inning, Amarillo starting pitcher Derek Christensen (2-2) was taken out.
“The rally we put together in the first inning was a huge blow for them,” said Kansas City manager Kenny Hook. “They weren’t throwing bad pitchers by any stretch, we just had a good day at the plate. When we’re patient, we can be a very good offense. We were patient (Saturday night.) Plus, it was nice to see guys not sit on the lead; they kept swinging the bats.”
This is the second huge offensive game for Kansas City in four days. The T-Bones scored 15 runs and had 19 hits on Wednesday against El Paso.
Amarillo’s Adam Buschini homered in the top of the second inning, cutting into Kansas City’s lead, 4-1, but the T-Bones added seven runs in the bottom of the inning, including three on a bases-loaded double by Coleman.
Kansas City starter Shaun Garceau went seven innings, striking out five. He gave up his first earned run in three starts, as his ERA went up 1.29.
For the first time since June 6, the T-Bones (18-17) are above .500. Kansas City and Amarillo wrap up their four-game series on Sunday afternoon at 5:05 at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. Tickets are available by calling 913-328-5618.
