06/13/2006 11:10 PM - SCHAUMBURG, Ill. – The Kansas City T-Bones (9-15) dropped the opening contest of their three-game series with the Schaumburg Flyers (16-8), 1-0 in 10 innings Tuesday evening at Alexian Field.

Each starting pitcher was on his game early, as Kansas City’s Larry Robles (pictured) and Schaumburg’s Kenny Durost held the opposition hitless until the fourth inning, when Charles Peterson singled with one-out to extend his hitting streak to 14 games. Nelson Gord returned the favor for the Flyers in the bottom half of the inning, reaching on the first of Schaumburg’s four infield singles on the night.

Robles and Durost continued to frustrate the hitters, as neither club could muster much offense until the ninth inning. Peterson led-off the frame with his second hit of the ballgame and advanced to second on an Eddie Pearson walk, thus becoming the first T-Bone to reach scoring position since the fourth inning. But the Schaumburg tandem of Matt Schweitzer and Chris Andel combined to strikeout two of the next three hitters to diffuse Kansas City’s scoring threat.

In the bottom of the ninth, Schaumburg’s Geoff McCallum walked and stole second off Caleb Balbuena, who relieved Robles after eight-plus innings of two-hit ball. After walking Gord and giving up a bunt-single to Chris Weekly, Balbuena coolly coaxed three straight ground balls to miraculously escape the bases-loaded, no-out situation unscathed.

The relief would be short-lived, as Schaumburg capitalized on the T-Bones’ decision to intentionally walk McCallum with two-out in the bottom of the 10th and Jarrod Patterson on second representing the winning run. Byron Embry uncharacteristically had trouble locating the strike zone, issuing free passes, first to Gord, then to Weekly with the bases loaded, bringing home Patterson with the game’s lone tally.

The loss failed to tarnish the brilliant work turned in by Robles, who struck out five while walking three in his eight scoreless innings. Balbuena (0-1) suffered the loss, allowing one run on two hits and a walk in his 1 1/3 inning effort.

Andel (2-0) retired all five hitters he faced, continuing the fine work of Durost, who allowed just two hits and struck out nine T-Bones in 7 2/3 innings-pitched. On the evening, Durost, Schweitzer and Andel combined to fan 13 Kansas City batters.

Tomorrow evening the two clubs will square off in game two of the series, once again at 7:05 p.m. from Alexian Field. The T-Bones will send RHP Greg Bicknell (1-3, 5.05) to the hill, while the Flyers hand the ball to LHP Rick DeHart (2-2, 9.45). Be sure to catch all the action live on “The Light” 1030 AM, or on the internet at www.tbonesbaseball.com.