The T-Bones got on the board first in the bottom of the first. After leadoff hitter Starlin Rodriguez was hit by a pitch from Joplin’s starting pitcher Carlos Fuentes (0-1), Rodriguez stole second. Tyler Massey then doubled to centerfield, scoring Rodriguez and giving Kansas City an early 1-0 lead. Joplin pitchers would hit five Kansas City batters in the game, one shy of tying the American Association record.

 

Kansas City strengthened its lead in the second when, with one out, Brandon Tierney singled to center and then came in on a home run by Brett Wiley. Rodriguez, at the plate for the second time in as many innings, singled and advanced to third on Nate Tenbrink’s single. Massey then got his second hit and second RBI, as he knocked in Rodriguez with a hit to right, giving the T-Bones a 4-0 lead. Rodriguez and Massey each had two hits in the game for Kansas City.

 

In the third inning, T-Bones starting pitcher Sean Furney walked the first two batters, Oscar Mesa and Mitch Glasser. With one out, Charlie Valerio doubled to right field, scoring Mesa. Willie Cabrera cut Kansas City’s lead in half, 4-2, when he grounded out to second baseman Wiley, scoring Glasser.

                                                                                                                     

Furney (3-1) threw five innings, allowing five hits and two runs. After Evan DeLuca and Brett Zawacki pitched three scoreless innings, Mark Haynes (3) picked up the save, even though he allowed one run — his first of the season — on one walk and one hit.

 

The T-Bones (10-14) will continue to play host to the Blasters (9-14) on Monday night at 7:05. Tickets are available by calling the Providence Medical Center Box Office at CommunityAmerica Ballpark at 913-328-5618.