Monarchs Edge Goldeyes in Homer-Filled Battle
KANSAS CITY, KS – The Kansas City Monarchs (5-0) used three home runs to fend off a late rally by the Winnipeg Goldeyes holding on for an 8-7 win Wednesday night at Legends Field.
The Monarchs jumped out early, thanks to a three-run homer from catcher Ryan Leitch in the second inning, followed immediately by a solo shot from Ross Adolph to make it 4-0. The Goldeyes (1-5) answered in the fourth with a solo homer from Ray-Patrick Didder, his first of the season.
Kansas City extended their lead in the fifth on an RBI single by Leitch, before the Goldeyes clawed back in the seventh. A pair of throwing errors brought in three unearned runs, cutting the Monarchs' lead to 5-4.
Isiah Gilliam provided what would be crucial insurance in the bottom of the eighth, blasting a three-run homer off reliever Derrick Cherry to give Kansas City an 8-4 advantage.
The Goldeyes mounted a ninth-inning surge with an RBI double from Jacob Robson and Didder’s second home run of the night, trimming the deficit to one. But closer Tyler McKay struck out Max Murphy to seal the win.
Winnipeg starter JJ Echevarría’s (L, 0-1) outing ended early due to injury. The right-hander lasted just two innings, surrendering eight hits and four earned runs before exiting the game in the third.
Reliever Will Sierra stepped in and delivered a solid performance, allowing just one run on two hits over two innings while striking out six and walking one. Tasker Strobel followed with three innings of work, giving up two hits and two earned runs. Cherry was called upon in the eighth and gave up a home run to Kansas City’s Gilliam, closing out the night for the Goldeyes bullpen.
On the mound for the Monarchs, Josh Hendrickson (W, 1-0) earned the win after a strong five-inning outing, allowing four hits and one earned run while striking out five. Jeff Hakanson followed with 1.2 innings of relief, striking out three and giving up three unearned runs. Connor Holden continued the momentum, striking out three over 1.1 scoreless innings. Tyler McKay closed the game for Kansas City, giving up three hits, three earned runs, walking two, and striking out five in a high-pressure final frame.
The Goldeyes wrap up the series Thursday in Kansas City at 6:35 p.m. CDT. Veteran lefty Mitchell Lambson (0-0, 3.60 ERA) gets the nod for Winnipeg, while Jackson Goddard (0-0, 0.00 ERA) makes his first start of the season for the Monarchs. Catch the action live on CJNU 93.7 FM and online at cjnu.ca. Video streaming is available at AABaseball.TV.
The Goldeyes return to Blue Cross Park on Tuesday, May 20 to face the Milwaukee Milkmen at 6:30 p.m. The first 5,000 fans will receive an exclusive Goldeyes jersey courtesy of Manitoba Blue Cross and Imperial Parking.
For tickets and more information, visit Goldeyes.com/Tickets.
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