Fargo opens series with nine-run outburst
Published on August 3, 2009 under Northern League (NL)
Kansas City Monarchs News Release
FARGO, N.D. - A four-run first inning by the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks (38-30) was too much for the Kansas City T-Bones (31-40) to overcome as they fell, 9-2, in the series opener of a four-game set tonight at Newman Outdoor Field in Fargo, N.D.
Nic Jackson and Randall Simon each hit two-run home runs off Ryan Knippschild (3-5) in the first inning to give Fargo a four-run lead. Following a groundout, the RedHawks loaded the bases but a strikeout and flyout ended the threat. Fargo sent 10 men to the plate in the frame.
Craig Hurba pulled Kansas City within three with a solo home run off Nick Fellman (4-5) to start the second. Three innings later, Jeff Helps singled home Neb Brown as the T-Bones pushed the score to 4-2 in the fifth.
Fellman was pulled after surrendering a single to Damian Rolls to begin the sixth. He earned the victory after allowing two runs on five hits over five-plus innings. Rolls' single snapped a 0-for-25 stretch for the former major leaguer. He finished the game one-for-three.
Knippschild faced just one over the minimum over his next four innings before surrendering a solo home run to Justin Justice with two outs in the sixth. All three home runs Knippschild surrendered in the game were to left-handed hitters, the first home runs the southpaw had surrendered to his counterparts this season.
Fargo capped off the scoring with another four-run frame in the seventh, plating the first on a sacrifice fly by Simon. After a two-run double by Alan Rick chased Knippschild from the game, Carlo Cota drove in Rick with a single against Cody McAllister to close the scoring at 9-2.
Knippschild was charged with all nine runs on 12 hits over six and two-thirds innings in the loss. Tonight was just the fourth time this season that the former University of Kansas hurler had allowed five-plus runs. McAllister retired his final four hitters to finish the game for the T-Bones.
After Kansas City put two runners on in the eighth, Elvys Quezada and Scott Koerber combined to strike out the final six T-Bone hitters to close out contest.
Greg Jacobs finished the game 0-for-four to push his hitless streak to four games. It is the first time in his T-Bones career that the veteran slugger has gone more than three games with at least one hit. Aharon Eggleston singled to begin the eighth for Kansas City, pushing his on-base streak to 30 games and his hit streak to 18.
Northern League Stories from August 3, 2009
- RailCats race past Flyers, 9-3 - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Fargo opens series with nine-run outburst - Kansas City Monarchs
- RailCats nickel and dime Flyers - Schaumburg Flyers
- RedHawks swing past T-Bones, 9-2 - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Rick and Walker Named Northern League Player and Pitcher of the Week - NL
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