07/26/2004 3:14 PM - JOLIET, Ill. - The Kansas City T-Bones plated three in the top of the seventh to take a 4-3 lead they would never relinquish in a win over the Joliet Jackhammers at Silver Cross Field in front of 4,610.

Kansas City had two base hits in the first and third innings, but couldn't muster any runs in either frame and the ballgame was scoreless going into the bottom of the fourth. Joliet scored two in that inning, the first when Bubba Smith's fielder's choice scored Josh Loggins, who had walked, stolen second and advanced to third on a throwing error by catcher Matt Ceriani. The second run came across on a Matt McCay single that scored Smith to give Joliet a 2-0 lead.

The T-Bones cut the lead to 2-1 in the fifth when Phil Thompson (3-4, 2B, RBI) doubled to left to score Chad Hill, who had just been reinstated from the disabled list. Joliet got another across in a wild bottom of the sixth when McCay singled in Corey Paul, who had also singled. It could have been more for Joliet, but Rick Prieto's throw to the plate earlier in the inning nailed Loggins trying to score from second on Paul's single.

Ceriani led off the top of the seventh with a solo shot to left, his second of the season. Thompson then singled to right against starter Ben Ally and went to second on a Prieto ground out. Chris LePine then hit a high pop-up to shallow center that fell among three Joliet defenders and Thompson advanced to third, coming in to score on a Ray Brown sac fly to center to tie the game.

With a 2-2 count and LePine on first, reliever Mike Ott got Eddie Pearson to fly out to left, or so it seemed. Ott had balked and LePine advanced to second. Pearson then singled to right to score LePine and give the T-Bones the lead.

Joliet had baserunners in the final three frames, but Ceriani threw out one trying to steal in both the seventh and eighth innings. In the ninth, T-Bones starter Greg Bicknell, who went the distance in earning his sixth win, allowed a lead-off single to Matt McCay. Jeff Goldbach, on a 0-2 count, laid down a bunt on back to Bicknell, who started a 1-6-3 double play for the first two outs of the inning. Gabby Delgado popped out to Ceriani to end the game.

GAME NOTES: Thompson was playing his seventh position of the season (all except 2B and C)... Joliet had been successful on 18/20 SB attempts before the game... Ceriani threw out 2/3 Joliet runners attempting to steal... Ceriani's homer was his second of the season, both coming on Sunday day games on the road... Bicknell's complete game was his first of the season... Bicknell is now 6-2, while reliever Mike Ott (0-3) takes the loss for Joliet... The win was Kansas City's first of the season in Joliet... T-Bones are now 21-3 entering 8th inning with a lead... RHP Matt McClellan (4-3, 4.14) goes against a TBA starter for the Schaumburg Flyers in a 7:05 game that will be broadcast live on All Comedy Radio 1340 and www.tbonesbaseball.com.

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