The T-Bones were led by Brett Wiley, who was a home run shy of the cycle. Besides his three hits, Wiley had three RBIs and scored three runs. Robby Kuzdale also scored three runs, and Anthony Gallas had three RBIs.

 

Kansas City entered the third inning with the game tied 3-3 before breaking it open by sending nine to the plate and scoring five runs, taking an 8-3 lead. The T-Bones scored two of those runs on a bizarre play with two outs. With Brett Wiley at second and Starlin Rodriguez at first, Vladimir Frias grounded the ball sharply to first baseman Juan Medina, who couldn’t hold on to it. As the ball scooted away from Medina, Wiley headed home. He was safe on the play, but then pitcher Josh Hodges made a bad throw to first, attempting to get Frias caught between first and second. The throw got away from Medina and Rodriguez scored. The two errors on that play accounted for five in the game for the Blasters.

 

After a Joplin run in the fourth, Kansas City responded in the fifth inning with another five runs and nine plate appearances, extending its lead to 13-4. Anthony Gallas sparked the T-Bones in the inning with a bases clearing double that scored three runs. 

 

Joplin made things interesting in the eighth inning by scoring five runs, which included three consecutive home runs by Geraldo Valentin, Charlie Valerio and Willie Cabrera, who hit two homers in the game.

 

Starting pitcher Jeremy Strawn pitched 3 2/3 innings, striking out four batters and giving up four runs. Josh Tols (3-1) earned the win for the T-Bones after striking out three and giving up one run in 2 1/3 innings.

 

Joplin starter Josh Hodges (2-3) went 4 innings, giving up 12 runs (seven earned), nine hits, walking three and hitting two batters.

 

The last time the T-Bones scored at least 16 runs was in a 17-8 win at Amarillo on Aug. 29, 2012. Coincidentally, the T-Bones scored 16 runs nearly four years ago Tuesday night, on June 23, 2012, in a 16-4 win over Amarillo.

 

The T-Bones (13-18) will continue the series against Joplin (12-19) Wednesday at 11:05 a.m. at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. Tickets are available by calling the Providence Medical Center Box Office at CommunityAmerica Ballpark at 913-328-5618.