By Brian Bruce

FARGO, N.D. -- The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks sent seven men to the plate against southpaw Steve Kent in the bottom of the eighth inning, scoring four runs on four hits, and went on to defeat Kansas City, 8-6, on Tuesday night at Newman Outdoor Field.

The RedHawks took a 4-1 lead in the bottom of the sixth on a two-run single by catcher Todd Jennings.

Kansas City, though, had an immediate answer. Shortstop Jose Duran led off the top of the seventh with a single off lefty Joe Harris and was followed by a Gus Milner single. Brandon Jones then walked, loading the bases and chasing Harris from the game.

RedHawks’ veteran manager Doug Simunic again turned to his bullpen, bringing in hard-throwing right hander Kevin Fuqua to face Ray Sadler. Fuqua struck out Sadler swinging for the first out. But, up next was Kala Ka’aihue, and he wasted no time in getting the T-Bones right back into the game. Ka’aihue sat on a first-pitch fastball from Fuqua, and smoked a 92 mph offering into left-center for a two-run single, putting Kansas City within a run at 4-3. Trevor Coleman then walked, and Devin Goodwin bounced into a would-be 6-4-3 inning-ending double-play. But, using his excellent speed, Goodwin beat the throw to first from second baseman Carlo Cota while Jones scored the tying run from third, making the score 4-4.

Fargo-Moorhead was able to deal the decisive blow in the bottom of the eighth, scoring four runs that included a two-run double by Cota. The four-run explosion made it 8-4. Kansas City tried to rally in the top of the ninth, pushing two runs across on two hits and a walk, but Reid Fronk ended the game with a groundout to second.

The loss drops Kansas City to .500 (9-9), while Fargo-Moorhead improves to 8-10. Kent (0-1) took the loss, allowing four earned runs on four hits in one inning of work. RedHawks’ left-hander Daniel Morari (1-1) earned the win, allowing two runs and one hit in two innings. Righty Tom Boleska picked up the save, his fourth.

Kansas City and Fargo-Moorhead are back at it on Wednesday night for the third game of the four-game set, with the first pitch slated for 7:02. RHP Matt Mitchell (1-2; 5.09 ERA) gets the start for Kansas City, while Fargo-Moorhead counters with RHP Alex Caldera (3-0; 1.33). In the Kansas City market, catch all of the play-by-play action on the KMBZ Business Channel, 1660 AM, or worldwide online at www.tbonesbaseball.com.