Fargo-Moorhead’s Tyler Herron struck out nine as the RedHawks held Kansas City’s batters to four hits as they beat the T-Bones, 3-1, on Saturday night in front of 6,515 spectators at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.
On a night when starter Devin Anderson “pitched well enough to win,” according to manager Kenny Hook, the T-Bones missed offensive opportunities.
During three innings Kansas City’s lead-off hitter reached base safely. In the fourth, after Enrique Cruz singled, Brandon Jones grounded into a double play.
In the seventh, Jones walked and then Lee Cruz, Ray Sadler and Kris Sanchez all struck out. Then, in the eighth, Devin Goodwin walked but was stranded at second.
“I think the difference in the game was the seventh,” Hook said. “I’m as baffled as anyone that we got the lead-off guy on, and then they struck out the side. In that situation, when you’ve seen (Herron) two or three times, you expect to get good swings, especially in the middle of your lineup. You can’t win when you don’t take advantage of that.”
Anderson (7-6), who missed a start last week because of tightness in his forearm, struck out five and gave up four hits in seven innings.
“Anytime you hold that team to two runs and four hits and you go seven innings, you expect to win,” Hook said.
The T-Bones took an early 1-0 lead when Jones (13) hit a two-out home run down the right field line in the bottom of the first.
With the win, Fargo-Moorhead (61-31) clinched the American Association’s North Division. The RedHawks are the first team in the league to clinch this season.
Kansas City (46-46) is scheduled to close out its regular-season home season on Sunday afternoon against Fargo at CommunityAmerica Ballpark at 1:05.
