Gary Battles Back for Game One Victory
September 2, 2009 - Northern League (NL)
Kansas City Monarchs News Release
KANSAS CITY, Kan. - The Kansas City T-Bones (0-1) took an early lead with a three-run first inning, but fell in the end, 4-3, to the Gary SouthShore RailCats (1-0) in game one of their best-of-five series to begin the 2009 Northern League Playoffs.
Jim Fasano drove in all three of the T-Bones runs, giving Kansas City an early 3-0 lead against Tony Cogan (1-0) in the first inning with a home run to right field. Fasano's one-out blast followed back-to-back singles from Greg Jacobs and Luis Terrero.
After surrendering a single to the next batter, Craig Hurba, Cogan retired 18 of his next 19 batters, including 13 straight before a one-out double by Jacob Blackwood in the seventh. Kansas City put just three runners on base from the second thru eighth innings against Cogan on just two hits and an error.
The left-hander earned the victory after allowing three runs on six hits over eight innings of work.
Gary started their rally against Dustin Bolton with a solo home run by Steve Haake with one-out in the fourth. Consecutive doubles by Eric McNamee and Jay Pecci plated their second run in the sixth. After a perfect seventh by Bolton, Rob Marconi began the eighth with a solo shot to tie the game at three.
Bolton left in favor of Brady Martinez (0-1) with one on and one out in the eighth. He did not factor into the decision after surrendering three runs on seven hits in seven and one-thirds innings.
Martinez retired the final two batters in the eighth before walking Cristian Guerrero to start the ninth. The next hitter sacrificed Guerrero to second on a bunt against reliever Justin James before a single from Mike Rohde gave the RailCats their only advantage of the contest at 4-3.
Martinez was charged with one run on no hits and one walk in two-thirds of an inning in the loss. Northern League saves leader Andy Shipman surrendered a two-out double to Blackwood in the bottom of the ninth, but finished off a scoreless ninth to secure the save.
Ryan Knippschild takes the mound for Kansas City in game two tomorrow night as the T-Bones look to even the series against Garret Holleran and the RailCats. First pitch is set for 7:05. For tickets, call 913-328-5618 or visit www.tbonesbaseball.com
Northern League Stories from September 2, 2009
- RailCats Come Back Late to Beat T-Bones 4-3 in Game One - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Gary Battles Back for Game One Victory - Kansas City Monarchs
- RedHawks Drop Playoff Opener 7-3 - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Ferro Steps up to the Plate - Joliet JackHammers
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