By MATT FULKS, tbonesbaseball.com
FARGO, N.D. – Vladimir Frias doubled in a run in the fifth and scored two batters later giving Kansas City a lead it wouldn’t forego in a 3-2 win Tuesday at Newman Outdoor Field.
Frias, who’s one of the flashiest shortstops in the American Association, used his bat to help the T-Bones get on the board first in a well-pitched game through the middle frames. Robby Kuzdale, however, led off the top of the fifth with a walk for Kansas City against starter Brian Ernst (8-6). After Brian Erie sacrificed Kuzdale to second, Frias lashed an RBI double to deep right field that scored Kuzdale and gave Kansas City a 1-0 lead. Two batters later, Danny Richar scored Frias on an RBI single to left.
The T-Bones extended their lead to 3-0 in the sixth with an RBI single from Kuzdale that scored Nick Schwaner.
The RedHawks finally cracked T-Bones starter Joe Van Meter (2-1) with solo runs in the sixth and seventh innings, including Travis Higgs’ fifth home run of the season. Van Meter didn’t walk any as he scattered seven hits and two runs — along with six strikeouts — over 7 innings in the win.
Kris Regas got his 20th save of the season with a scoreless ninth, in spite of walking two Fargo batters.
Four T-Bones batters had multi-hit games, led by Frias’ 3-for-4 night. T.J. Mittelstaedt, who had two hits, notched his team-leading 27th double in the first inning.
The T-Bones (42-51) continue their three-game series at Fargo-Moorhead (39-54) Wednesday night at 7:02. The game can be heard in the Kansas City area on 1660-AM or worldwide at tbonesbaseball.com.
