Paula (6-2) allowed just two hits to the pesky RailCats offense over six shutout innings before his night was done. The former University of North Carolina righty struck out six on the way to the win.

The two teams were scoreless through the first three innings, but in the top of the fourth, Cedric Hunter hit a solo home run to right off Aryton Costa to lead off the inning. After one out, Kevin Keyes singled and Dexter Kjerstad doubled to put runners at second and third. Niko Vasquez then followed with a bases-clearing double to make it 3-0 Kansas City, chasing Costa from the game. Costa (2-4) would be charged with the loss, surrendering five hits and three earned runs.

Kansas City would grab two more in the top of the sixth off Carlos Pinales. Kevin Keyes worked a leadoff walk, and Dexter Kjerstad then singled to put runners at the corners. With one out, Chantz Mack doubled to left center to score Keyes, and the score was 4-0.  Kyle Petty brought home Kjerstad with a fielder’s choice on a ball that Pinales was able to knock down but could not collect in time to get Kjerstad coming home. He was able to retire Petty for the second out, but the run scored to make it 5-0.

In the top of the ninth, the T-Bones got three more runs when Jordan Edgerton doubled off the left field wall to score two, and Dexter Kjerstad would cap off the night with an RBI single.

Rich Mascheri worked around two base hits and a walk in the seventh, holding Gary scoreless, and Grant Sides followed with another scoreless eighth. Jackson Lowery came into the game in the ninth to close out the contest for Kansas City to complete the shut out.

The win pulled Kansas City into a tie for the American Association Wild Card race with Gary SouthShore. Fargo, who also won Friday night  is a half-game behind the pair in the race. Kansas City, with their 51st win, matches the second most wins in a season by a T-Bones club, a record set in 2012.

The two teams will play Saturday night at 6:10 pm in Gary with right-hander Matt Sergey (4-3, 3.58), making his return to the rotation after missing his last two turns, and LHP Jeff McKenzie (4-3, 4.08), who beat the T-Bones last week in Kansas City going for the RailCats. The game can be heard on the T-Bones Broadcast Network.

For additional information or interview requests, members of the media may contact the T-Bones Media Relations Department at (817) 739-3693. Tickets are available online, by calling (913) 328-5618 or by visiting in person the Providence Medical Center Box Office.