Catcher Johnny Bowden went three-for-four with a double and three RBI for the Kansas City T-Bones (22-29) as they defeated the El Paso Diablos (13-38), 6-2, in the first game of a four-game series on Thursday night at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.
 
With 4,608 on hand, Chad Gabriel gave El Paso an early 1-0 lead in the second inning with a solo home run off Reid Santos (6-3). Kansas City answered two innings later, scoring three times against Reymond Cruz (1-5) in the bottom of the fourth to gain a lead they would not surrender. Bowden drove in the first two runs with a single and scored the third run on a double by the next hitter, Gerardo Caceres.

Cruz left after surrendering a one-out walk to Jimmy Mojica in the seventh. Keanon Simon followed with an RBI triple off reliever Scott Vander Weg and later scored on a wild pitch to make the score 5-1.

Cruz was charged with four runs on six hits in the loss.

Santos held El Paso to just two runs on seven hits over seven and one-thirds innings in the victory. The left-hander gave way to Kyle Dahman after surrendering an RBI single to Albenis Machado in the eighth, but Dahman induced a double-play groundout from his only batter to leave a runner stranded.

Bowden capped off the scoring with an RBI double in the bottom of the eighth. Trent Lare added a scoreless ninth to finish the game for Kansas City.

Mojica went 0-for-three with two walks and a run scored, snapping his 10-game hit streak.

Kansas City sends Kris Johnson (0-2, 4.65) to the mound on Friday night opposite Adam Rowe (1-4, 8.60) and the Diablos in a battle of southpaws. First pitch is set for 7:05. Call 913-328-5618 or visit www.tbonesbaseball.com to secure your seats now!