The T-Bones trailed 4-1 going into the bottom of the fifth inning of the seven-inning game, before a long rally. Jimmy Mojica and Dalton Wheat led off the inning by drawing walks from starting pitcher Alec Crawford. The Saints brought in reliever Caleb Thielbar, who came into the game with a 1.65 ERA after 20 previous outings. Thielbar gave up a single to Tyler Moore, loading the bases. Starlin Rodriguez then reached first on a fielder’s choice, which scored Mojica, cutting St. Paul’s lead in half at 4-2. After Tyler Massey walked, Jake Blackwood knocked in Wheat with a base hit. Thielbar (3-1) tied the game by walking Vladimir Frias, bringing in Rodriguez. Brett Wiley added to Thielbar’s two-run outing by hitting a single that scored Massey and gave the T-Bones the lead, 5-4.

 

Thielbar was in line for the loss until the Saints re-took the lead in the top of the sixth. Facing reliever Johnny Shuttlesworth, the leadoff batter, Chad Christensen, reached first on an error by Blackwood. Shuttlesworth walked Maxx Garrett before Sam Maus hit a sacrifice fly that advanced all runners. Brady Burzynski singled, scoring Christensen and moving Garrett to third. Almadova then advanced to first on a fielder’s choice that scored Garrett and gave the Saints a 6-5 lead.

 

Prior to the 7-5 loss, the T-Bones defeated St. Paul 6-3 earlier Sunday evening, concluding Saturday’s game that was suspended in the middle of the fifth due to rain. After scoring a run in the sixth, the T-Bones added two more runs in the seventh with Frias’ second two-run hit of the game. Saints reliever Cody Wheeler gave up a single to Massey before walking Blackwood. After Anthony Gallas struck out, Frias singled home both Massey and Blackwood, giving Kansas City a 6-3 lead.

 

The T-Bones will travel to Sioux Falls for a three-game series beginning Monday. All of the action can be heard online at TBonesBaseball.com.