GARY, Ind. – The Kansas City T-Bones struggled to capitalize on early scoring opportunities, but plated four runs in the final two innings as they defeated the Gary SouthShore RailCats 5-3 in the first game of a doubleheader tonight at U.S. Steel Yard.  Kansas City stranded at least one runner on base in each frame and left a total of 14 on in the contest.

Anthony Boughner stranded five baserunners through three scoreless innings to begin the contest for Kansas City before allowing the first three batters in the fourth to reach on two singles and a walk.  RailCats centerfielder Rob Marconi then doubled off the left-hander, clearing the bases to give Gary a 3-0 lead.

Boughner lasted six and one-thirds innings for the T-Bones, getting one out in the seventh before giving way to Brady Martinez.  He surrendered seven hits and four walks while hitting two batters and striking out three in a no-decision.

Rookie Garret Holleran went three scoreless innings for Gary in his first professional start, surrendering four hits over that span.  He stranded one runner in each of his three frames.  Kyle Kobernus entered for Holleran in the fourth and walked three straight batters after getting two quick outs to start the inning.  He then induced a groundout from Eric Scriven to finish the frame.

Kansas City plated their first run in the fifth inning when an RBI double from Ken Harvey (pictured) scored Rob Watson with two outs.  After the next batter, Kevin Mahar, was hit by a pitch from Koichi Misawa, Steve Trout popped out as the T-Bones left the bases loaded for the second straight inning.

The T-Bones left two more on base in the sixth and got their first two runners on against Nate Hoelscher with singles to begin the seventh.  After a fielder’s choice from Mahar, Trout doubled in Jim Fasano to pull Kansas City within one.  John Martin then drove in Mahar with a sacrifice fly to tie the game at three.

Hoelscher stayed in to pitch the eighth for Gary and surrendered two runs on a sacrifice fly from Jim Fasano and an RBI double from Harvey, his second of the contest.  Hoelscher fell to 1-3 on the season after allowing four runs on six hits in two innings of work.

Martinez got the final two outs for Kansas City to close out the seventh as he improved to 3-1 on the season.  David Trahan threw a scoreless eighth to pick up his league-leading 12th save.

Kenny Durost is scheduled to start game two for the T-Bones opposite Drew Dickinson for Gary.