Monarchs Destroy Apollos in Game 2 of Double-Header
July 28, 2021 - American Association (AA)
Kansas City Monarchs News Release
Darnell Sweeney of the Kansas City Monarchs rounds the bases after a two-run home run
(Kansas City Monarchs, Credit: John Ellis)
KANSAS CITY, KS - Kansas City (41-22) defeated Houston (8-55) in the second game of Wednesday's double-header 10-2.
The Monarchs got things started on offense in the second inning with a walk by Casey Gillaspie and a single from Charcer Burks that put them at first and second, giving Colin Willis an opportunity to drive runs in. Willis doubled, driving in Gillaspie, giving the Monarchs a 1-0 lead. Willis would advance to third by tagging on a fly ball and would then score off an error by the Apollos second baseman, putting Kansas City up 2-0.
The Apollos took advantage of a few mistakes from the Monarchs in the top of the third inning. Taylor Zeutenhorst advanced to first on a dropped third strike and then advanced to second on a passed ball. Jordan Pontious doubled, driving in Zeutenhorst, putting the Apollos on the board, and making it a 2-1 game.
In the bottom half of the third inning, Kansas City kept the momentum going. Ryan Grotjohn walked and Gabby Guerrero singled, putting two runners on for the Monarchs. Burks continued his hot night with a double, driving in both runners to add to their lead and making it 4-1. Burks finished two-for-three, with two RBIs.
Right-hander Ryan Newell got the start for Kansas City and had a solid outing. In three innings pitched, he gave up one hit, one run, and one walk, while striking out three.
Justin Donatella replaced Newell to start the fourth inning. He went two innings and struck out two.
Kansas City continued to dominate in the fourth inning. With two runners on for the Monarchs, Morgan McCullough singled, driving in both runners to make it a 6-1 contest. Darnell Sweeney continued his hot month with a two-run home run for the Monarchs, for his 11th homer on the season, putting Kansas City up 8-1. Gillaspie knocked out a two-run homer of his own. Gillaspie, the Monarchs team leader in home runs, now has 14 on the season. After four innings, the Monarchs lead was 10-1.
Right-hander Jacob Lindgren entered the game to start the sixth inning and struck out two. Ramsey Romano finished the game in the seventh for the Monarchs. Romano gave up one run in the seventh for Houston's second run of the game. The Monarchs pitching staff gave up a combined three hits on the day.
The Monarchs earned the win, 10-2, and have now won five in a row.
Kansas City will continue their homestand against Houston at Legends Field on Thursday night. First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m. with the gates opening at 5:00 p.m. The game can be heard on the Monarchs Broadcast Network with the pre-game beginning at 6:35 p.m. and the video stream airing on aabaseball.tv.
Tickets to all Monarchs games can be purchased by calling 913-328-5618 or by visiting monarchsbaseball.com.
WP: Justin Donatella (2-0)
LP: Abdallah Aris (0-9)
S: N/A
Images from this story
 Casey Gillaspie of the Kansas City Monarchs rounds the bases after a two run home run (John Ellis) |
 Darnell Sweeney of the Kansas City Monarchs rounds the bases after a two-run home run (John Ellis) |
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