Diablos Offense Continues To Scuffle In 8-1 Loss In Kansas City

Published on June 18, 2012 under American Association (AA)
El Paso Diablos News Release


KANSAS CITY, KS- The Diablos turned in a third straight ineffective offensive performance, scoring just one run on seven hits in an 8-1 loss in their series opener with the Kansas City T-Bones.

El Paso, ranked third in the American Association in batting average just a week ago, has now scored just four runs over its last 31 innings, a span of three games stretching back to game two of the last series in Laredo. Their only run on Monday evening in Kansas City came in the fifth, when J.J. Muse doubled in Jonathan Cisneros.

By that point, the T-Bones had built a comfortable lead thanks to a big, six-run second inning off Diablos starter Reymond Cruz. The turning point of the inning, and arguably the game, came when Hunter Mense hit a pop up with a man on and one out in the frame. Shortstop Maikol Gonzalez committed the Diablos' league-leading 53rd error of 2012 when he dropped the ball, allowing the rally to continue unabated.

Kansas City then ripped off five more hits, including a pair of two-run singles from Gus Milner and Brandon Jones to pull ahead 6-0 by the end of the frame. Cruz (1-3), who allowed seven runs over five innings of work, was only charged with one earned run but still took his third loss.

Any chance the Diablos had to come back was snuffed out by T-Bones starter Shaun Garceau (2-0), who only allowed two runners to reach scoring position outside the fifth inning. Garceau only struck out three but didn't walk a batter and earned the victory with his second consecutive impressive outing.

The T-Bones added two late runs on a pair of long, solo home runs. Designated hitter Ray Sadler went deep to make it 7-1 in the fifth, and Kaaihue hit a towering blast into the left-center field bullpen in the eighth for the game's final run.

Each of the Diablos' two newly acquired relievers made an appearance. Tim Adleman struck out three in two scoreless innings, and Drew Graham surrendered one run on the home run to Kaaihue.

El Paso will try and even the series on Tuesday behind right-hander Scott Hodsdon. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. local time in Kansas City and 6:05 p.m. in El Paso.

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