A bases-clearing triple by Keanon Simon in the bottom of the eighth inning highlighted a five-run frame as the Kansas City T-Bones (37-39) took the rubber match of their three-game series against the Sioux City Explorers (38-38), 11-9, in front of 5,302 fans on Thursday night at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.

Kansas City opened the scoring against former T-Bone David Trahan in the third, scoring two runs on three hits including an RBI single by Rico Washington. The T-Bones added two more in the fourth, capping the inning with an RBI single by Jimmy Mojica to take a 4-0 lead.
 
Matt Mitchell held Sioux City scoreless through four innings before the Explorers plated seven runs on five hits in the fifth to gain a 7-4 advantage. A three-run home run by Ray Serrano completed the scoring and chased Mitchell from the game.

Mitchell was charged with seven runs on seven hits over four and one-third innings. Trahan left after five innings having allowed four runs on six hits. Neither starter factored into the decision.

Steven Stewart collected the final two outs in the fifth before T.J. Large (4-5) took over to begin the sixth. The Explorers collected two runs, one earned, off Large on one hit and one error in the frame to take a 9-4 lead.

Kansas City added two runs in the seventh on home run by Jim Fasano to pull within three, 9-6. The first three batters for Kansas City reached safely to begin the eighth, with one run scoring on an error before Emiliano Fruto (1-2) entered for Sioux City. After a walk to Mojica loaded the bases, Simon connected for his game-winning triple to make the score 10-9. Simon later scored on a sacrifice fly for an 11-9 final.

Large earned the victory with three innings of relief. Kyle Dahman threw a perfect ninth to secure his third save for Kansas City. Simon’s triple was his 11th of the season, giving him sole possession of the franchise single-season record in that category. Rick Prieto held the previous mark with 10 triples during the 2004 campaign.

Kansas City now heads to Gary, IN for a three-game series against the RailCats beginning Friday night. The T-Bones return home Monday, August 8 for a seven-game homestand. First pitch of game one in Gary is set for 7:10. To catch all the action while the team is on the road listen live on KUDL Radio Bach 1660 AM or online at www.tbonesbaseball.com.