06/09/2006 11:18 PM - KANSAS CITY –The T-Bones (8-13) let an early 6-0 lead slip away Friday night, losing a 9-8 contest in 10 innings to the Gary SouthShore RailCats (8-13) in front of 5,959 fans at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.

Kansas City used the long ball to make its statement early in the game. Greg Jacobs hit a two-run home run in the first inning and Eddie Pearson scored three more with his second long bomb of the season. In all, the T-Bones led 6-0 after three innings.

Gary’s rally began in the fifth inning as the RailCats gave the T-Bones a dose of their own medicine. Nathan Haynes sent a pitch from T-Bones’ pitcher Greg Bicknell to the right-center field berm, scoring two of Gary’s three runs in the inning and cutting the Kansas City lead in half.

The RailCats used slow and steady base hits, including doubles by former major-leaguer Jermaine Allensworth and Brad Vericker, to take a 7-6 lead going into the seventh-inning stretch.

The T-Bones showed promise in the bottom of the eighth inning. Craig Hurba, Brandon Jones, Chad Sosebee, Blake Whealy and Greg Jacobs all found their ways on base, but neither of them were able to score.

Gary added another run to their lead when Nathan Haynes scored on a wild pitch, taking an 8-6 lead in the ninth, but the T-Bones weren’t dead yet. Eddie Pearson singled to centerfield, and Eric Vega scored as his pinch runner when Craig Hurba doubled to left field. Hurba would score on another Brandon Jones single, tying the game at 8, and forcing extra innings.

It was the RailCats who stole the show in the extra frame. Andy Rohleder singled to right field, and was hit home two batters later on a single by Alex Taylor.

Kansas City’s offense was lead by a 4-for-6 performance by Greg Jacobs, including a home run and two runs batted in.

T-Bones closer Byron Embry was charged with the loss, while Ryan Miller picked up the win for Gary.

Both squads will duke it out once again Saturday night. Gary left-hander Josh Habel (1-2, 7.04) will square off against T-Bones south paw Buddy Blair (0-4, 8.15) with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.

R H E
GAR 9 16 1
KCT 8 14 3

W: Ryan Miller (1-0), L: Byron Embry (1-1)
HR: Haynes (3), Jacobs (2), Pearson (2)
Game Time: 3:30, Attendance: 5,959