KANSAS CITY, Kan.—Designated hitter Calvin Pickering (pictured) hit solo home runs in his first two at-bats as a Kansas City T-Bone, on his way to a four hit, three-RBI night as the T-Bones won their season opener, 6-4. Pickering ’s first blast to the opposite field off of Flyers starting pitcher Ryan Harris in the bottom of the second inning gave the T-Bones the early 1-0 lead.

The Flyers briefly tied the game in the top of the fourth on catcher Josh Nivesky’s sacrifice fly that scored shortstop Eric Riggs.  Pickering ’s second homer in the bottom of the fifth inning reclaimed the lead for the T-Bones, 2-1.  Austin Easley drove in another run for Kansas City on a fielder’s choice, plating Brad Correll to make the lead 3-1.  The Flyers answered when pitcher Lavon Lewis allowed four runs in the sixth, giving the Flyers the 4-3 lead. Flyers outfielder Christian Snavely drove in two runs and scored on an RBI single by designated hitter Kevin Bass.

Pickering ’s RBI single in the bottom of the sixth tied the score 4-4 before Easley’s solo shot the following inning gave the T-Bones a lead they would not relinquish. The T-Bones added an insurance run in the eighth, making the score 6-4.

Brett Reid pitched a scoreless seventh inning to earn the win, and Dan Jackson struck out two in the ninth to pick up the save. Brian Martin was credited with the loss, allowing one run on two hits in one inning of relief.

With Anthony Boughner being a late scratch for the T-Bones, Chris Krawczyk got the start and gave up one hit in three scoreless innings.  Travis Schlichting pitched 2/3 of the sixth inning, allowing two hits and zero runs. Matt Schweitzer pitched a perfect eighth, striking out one. 

Harris worked 5 2/3 innings for the Flyers, giving up three runs on four hits and striking out five.  BJ Litchfield also made an appearance, pitching the final 1 1/3 innings for the Flyers.