Ka'aihue Homers Twice, Drives in Five as T-Bones Take Series
Published on August 18, 2011 under American Association (AA)
Kansas City Monarchs News Release
WICHITA, Kan. - Kala Ka'aihue connected for two home runs for the Kansas City T-Bones (42-47) on Thursday night, but a three-run double by the right-handed slugger proved to be biggest blow as the T-Bones defeated the Wichita Wingnuts (48-41), 7-6, in the rubber match of a three-game series.
Kansas City grabbed an early 2-0 lead against Derek Blacksher in the second inning with back-to-back home runs by Ka'aihue and Justin Snyder. Wichita answered with an RBI single by Edwin Bellorin in the bottom of the frame to pull within one against Kris Johnson, 2-1. An RBI single by Carlos Rivera followed in the third to tie the game at two.
Wichita added a single tally in the fifth before a two-run single by former T-Bone Jimmy Mojica made the score 5-2 and chased Johnson with two outs in the sixth. Chris Little (1-3) finished the inning for Kansas City and added a scoreless seventh to earn the victory.
Johnson was charged with five runs on 10 hits over five and two-thirds innings. Blacksher surrendered a solo home run to Ka'aihue in the top of the seventh before giving way to the Wichita bullpen in the eighth. The right-hander allowed three runs on five hits over seven innings. Neither starter factored into the decision.
Kansas City used a single and two walks to load the bases with two outs in the eighth. Ka'aihue wasted no time against reliever Geivy Garcia (0-2), connecting with the first pitch he saw for a bases-clearing double that gave the T-Bones a 6-5 advantage. Snyder followed with an RBI single to push the lead to two.
Garcia took the loss after surrendering three runs on two hits and two walks in one-third of an inning. It was his second loss of the series. Drew Graham allowed a single and issued a free pass to begin the bottom of the eighth before giving way to Kyle Dahman. Dahman retired the next three batters to hold the score at 7-5.
The Wingnuts picked up a single run in the bottom of the ninth but Dahman stranded the tying run at first to secure his seventh save of the season.
Ka'aihue finished three-for-four with a double, two home runs and five RBI to pace the offensive attack.
Kansas City now heads to Amarillo, TX for their first road series against the Amarillo Sox. Game one of the three-game set begins at 7:05 on Friday night. To follow the T-Bones on the road, listen live on KUDL Radio Bach 1660 AM or online at www.tbonesbaseball.com.
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