Tbonesbaseball.com
Laredo pitcher Matt Way struck out nine in a complete-game victory as the T-Bones were swept at home for only the second time this season, losing to the Lemurs, 5-2, on Sunday night at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.
Way (9-6), who’s leading the American Association in strike outs, now has 105 on the season as he struck out at least one batter in all but two innings in front of 5,404 spectators.
“He has a big-time changeup,” T-Bones manager Kenny Hook said. “As a hitter, when you get ahead in the count, you’re looking fastball. (Way) threw the changeup in those situations, which took our bat speed away. Then, in the middle of the game, we were trying to guess when he was going to throw it.”
The T-Bones got down early as starter Shaun Garceau (8-5) gave up three runs during the first two innings. Kansas City had a chance in the first inning to get on the board, with one out and runners on the corners, but Way struck out Lee Cruz and then got Trevor Coleman to ground out.
The T-Bones scored in the third inning when Justin Bass was hit by a pitch and stole second.
Then, after Devin Goodwin reached on an infield single, Bass scored on an unusual double play when Brandon Jones grounded to first baseman Javier Brito, who touched first and then threw to second in an attempt to get Goodwin.
Bass crossed the plate as Goodwin got into a rundown for the third out.
Laredo added two more runs during the next half inning and went up 5-1.
After a 1-5 homestand Kansas City (44-43) now hits the road for a three-game road trip at Sioux City beginning on Tuesday night. The T-Bones are still in the hunt for the Central Division title or a Wild Card berth during the final two weeks of the season.
“There’s nothing specific we have to do, play wise,” Hook said. “We have to battle and find out what we’re made of. In these situations you have to play with more heart and do whatever it takes that night to win the ball game.”
