KANSAS CITY, Kan. – For the first time in T-Bones history, five position players pitched for Kansas City as the club fell to Sioux Falls, 5-1, Sunday night at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.

 

The T-Bones were in a predicament when the wife of Kansas City’s original starter, Jordan Cooper, went into labor early Sunday morning for the birth of the couple’s first child. Without a starter available, the T-Bones turned to their bullpen to start the game, beginning with David Holman, who pitched 3 innings out of the bullpen Friday night. Sioux Falls took advantage in the first inning, as J.C. Linares blooped an infield single that scored Darwin Perez. The Canaries wouldn’t surrender the lead.

 

Holman (4-5) allowed only two hits, but he lasted only 2 innings, giving way to Evan DeLuca, who pitched 2 innings Saturday night. DeLuca faced the minimum in the third Sunday before Johnny Shuttlesworth faced seven batters, striking out three, in the fourth and fifth innings.

 

With Sioux Falls holding on to a 1-0 lead, the T-Bones then turned to an array of position players to take the mound, starting with left fielder Tyson Gillies in the sixth. Gillies showed a knee-buckling curveball in facing the minimum and getting two strikeouts. Rookie right fielder Dalton Wheat came in for the seventh, and recorded three consecutive outs as well.

 

Three T-Bones position players pitched in the top of the eighth. Tyler Massey came in from centerfield and pitched to three batters. The first batter he faced, however, Aaron Owen, launched a home run to left, giving the Canaries a 2-0 lead. With one out and one on base, Jake Blackwood made his second pitching appearance of the season, giving up a single to Jake Taylor and intentionally walking Linares, which loaded the bases. After the walk, shortstop Vladimir Frias came in to finish the inning. Blake Schmit popped out for the second out of the inning, before Frias walked Cameron Monger, scoring Perez and giving Sioux Falls a 3-0 lead.

 

Kansas City used its closer, Mark Haynes, in the ninth inning. Haynes walked Owen before giving up a home run to Ethan Chapman, which brought the score to 5-0.

 

In all, nine players took the mound for Kansas City — four pitchers and five position players.

 

Offensively, the T-Bones couldn’t find an answer for Sioux Falls starter Kris Regas (5-7) until the ninth inning. Regas, a former T-Bones all-star, threw a complete game, and had a shutout through 8 1/3, before giving up a home run to Starlin Rodriguez. Regas gave up six hits and one walk, and struck out seven.

 

The T-Bones (41-58) will conclude its 2016 season against Sioux Falls (40-59) on Monday afternoon at 1:05. Tickets are available by calling the Providence Medical Center Box Office at CommunityAmerica Ballpark at 913-328-5618.

 

 

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