Justin James rebounded from a rough debut with six strong innings tonight, allowing just two runs on four hits while striking out eight in a victory as the Kansas City T-Bones defeated the Winnipeg Goldeyes, 7-2, at Canwest Park.

Kansas City received singles from their first three batters against Ben Pfinsgraff before a fielder’s choice groundout by Jim Fasano plated their first run of the contest.  Two batters later, Craig Hurba drove in Damian Rolls for a quick 2-0 lead.

The Goldeyes responded in the bottom of the frame, beginning with an infield single from Wes Long.  Following a stolen base and a wild pitch, Long came home on a groundout by Brent Metheny.  James then retired 17 of his final 21 batters, including nine in-a-row.  Dee Brown led off the fifth with a single to snap the streak and scored the final Goldeyes run of the game on a double by Long.

Brad Correll led off the third with a solo home run for Kansas City.  In the fourth, the first three T-Bones reached with two singles and a walk.  The fourth batter, Rolls, singled to left to score Ryan Fox.  Left fielder Brown threw home in time to get the trailing runner, Mark Minicozzi, but catcher Hank Lanto muffed the throw allowing the second run to score.

Hurba added the T-Bones sixth run in the fifth with a solo shot to left.  Pfinsgraff departed after five having allowed six runs, five earned, on nine hits in the loss.

Jim Fasano homered to begin the seventh to cap off the scoring at 7-2.

Payton Tweddale threw two scoreless innings in relief of James.  Todd Moser closed out the contest with a perfect ninth.