Keanon Simon capped off a perfect three-for-three night with an RBI double in the eighth inning to propel the Kansas City T-Bones (38-39) to a 6-4 victory over the Gary SouthShore RailCats (45-32) on Friday night.
 
Kansas City opened the scoring against Carlos Rivas in the top of the first inning when Simon singled with one out and later scored on a single by Rico Washington. The T-Bones added another tally against the left-hander in the second inning on a sacrifice fly by Gerardo Caceres, pushing the score to 2-0.

Devin Anderson faced the minimum through the first three innings before three hits led to one RailCats run in the fourth as Gary pulled within one, 2-1. Washington picked up another RBI in the top of the fifth with his second single of the night to reclaim a two-run advantage for the T-Bones.

Gary struck for three runs against Anderson in the bottom of the fifth, using three runs and two Kansas City errors to gain a 4-3 lead. Anderson left the contest after issuing a one-out walk to load the bases, giving way to rookie reliever Drew Graham (2-1). After the final run of the inning scored on a throwing error, Graham induced a double play to end the frame.

Anderson was charged with four runs, three earned, on six hits over four and one-thirds innings. Rivas allowed three runs on six hits over five frames. Neither factored into the decision.

The T-Bones began their rally in the seventh, opening the inning with a walk by Simon. After a walk and a groundout pushed Simon to third, a fielder’s choice groundout by Jim Fasano plated the tying run. Then, with two outs in the eighth, Jimmy Mojica singled off Chris Little (0-3) and quickly stole second base. Simon followed with a double to make the score 5-4.

It was Simon’s second game-winning hit in as many nights, with both blows coming in the eighth inning. The centerfielder finished his perfect night with three runs scored, an RBI and two stolen bases. He reached base safely in all five plate appearances.

Kansas City added an insurance run on an RBI double by Fasano in the top of the ninth to cap the score at 6-4. Graham remained in the game through two and two-thirds innings before Andy Shipman took over to start the eighth. After two quick outs, Gary loaded the bases against their former teammate with a hit batter, a walk and a T-Bones error. Kyle Dahman entered and induced a groundout to end the threat.

Dahman remained in the game, striking out the first batter in the ninth before a walk and hit batter brought slugging right fielder Cristian Guerrero to the plate as the possible game-winning run. Dahman struck the veteran out on five pitches and punched out Toddric Johnson on four pitches to secure his fourth save of the season.

Trent Lare (3-2, 5.54) takes the mound for Kansas City on Saturday night opposite Scott Shaw (8-3, 4.59) and the RailCats in game two of the three-game series. First pitch is set for 6:10. 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.