KANSAS CITY, Kan. – A three-run sixth inning proved costly for the Kansas City T-Bones who dropped their first series of the 2017 season, 4-3, to the Lincoln Saltdogs Sunday at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.

The Saltdogs wasted no time getting the early 1-0 lead with an RBI single from Brent Dean in the top of the second. But in T-Bones fashion, Leo Rojas answered with a RBI double, evening up the score at 1-1.

The third through fifth innings were something of a stalemate, with consecutive 1-2-3 innings. T-Bones starter Chris Perry tossed five strong innings with seven strikeouts and surrendered just one earned run. Then came the key sixth inning.

Kansas City brought in righty Myles Smith. Lincoln’s Curt Smith hit a single to right field, then stole second. Trevor Adams then hit a single — this time to left field, to bring Smith home, pushing the lead to 2-1. Adams followed suit and stole second before Randolph Oduber hit another single to left field, bringing Adams home for a 3-1 lead.

Catcher Brent Dean hit an RBI double bringing Oduber home, adding yet another run to the score. Now facing a 4-1 deficit, the T-Bones turned to righty Kamakani Usui to cut off Lincoln’s momentum - which he did striking out Chris Garia to end the inning. A series of pitching changes would ensue for Kansas City — Aaron Brooks relieved Usui in the top of the eighth and Cody Winiarski would replace him at the start of the ninth.

T-Bones would begin their comeback in the eighth with a single from Kevin Keyes and a ground rule double from Joe Jackson, to put runners at second and third. Chase McDonald hit a sacrifice fly to center to bring Keyes home and cut the lead to 4-2. Brett Wiley followed with a ground ball to short that brought home Jackson to make the score 4-3. Daniel Rockett would single but the T-Bones’ rally fell short when J.R. Bunda struck out Leo Rojas to end the threat.

Lincoln’s Josh Laxer worked in a 1-2-3 ninth inning to secure the save for the Saltdogs.

The T-Bones will host the Gary Southshore Railcats for the first game of a three game series Monday as the season opening homestand continues at 7:05 p.m. — kids eat free!

For additional information or interview requests, members of the media may contact the T-Bones Media Relations Department at 913-328-5639. Tickets are available online, by calling (913) 328-5618 or by visiting in person the Providence Medical Center Box Office.

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