A four-run first inning by the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks (38-30) was too much for the Kansas City T-Bones (31-40) to overcome as they fell, 9-2, in the series opener of a four-game set tonight at Newman Outdoor Field in Fargo, N.D.

Nic Jackson and Randall Simon each hit two-run home runs off Ryan Knippschild (3-5) in the first inning to give Fargo a four-run lead.  Following a groundout, the RedHawks loaded the bases but a strikeout and flyout ended the threat.  Fargo sent 10 men to the plate in the frame.

Craig Hurba pulled Kansas City within three with a solo home run off Nick Fellman (4-5) to start the second.  Three innings later, Jeff Helps singled home Neb Brown as the T-Bones pushed the score to 4-2 in the fifth.

Fellman was pulled after surrendering a single to Damian Rolls to begin the sixth.  He earned the victory after allowing two runs on five hits over five-plus innings.  Rolls’ single snapped a 0-for-25 stretch for the former major leaguer.  He finished the game one-for-three.

Knippschild faced just one over the minimum over his next four innings before surrendering a solo home run to Justin Justice with two outs in the sixth.  All three home runs Knippschild surrendered in the game were to left-handed hitters, the first home runs the southpaw had surrendered to his counterparts this season.

Fargo capped off the scoring with another four-run frame in the seventh, plating the first on a sacrifice fly by Simon.  After a two-run double by Alan Rick chased Knippschild from the game, Carlo Cota drove in Rick with a single against Cody McAllister to close the scoring at 9-2.

Knippschild was charged with all nine runs on 12 hits over six and two-thirds innings in the loss.  Tonight was just the fourth time this season that the former University of Kansas hurler had allowed five-plus runs.  McAllister retired his final four hitters to finish the game for the T-Bones.

After Kansas City put two runners on in the eighth, Elvys Quezada and Scott Koerber combined to strike out the final six T-Bone hitters to close out contest.

Greg Jacobs finished the game 0-for-four to push his hitless streak to four games.  It is the first time in his T-Bones career that the veteran slugger has gone more than three games with at least one hit.  Aharon Eggleston singled to begin the eighth for Kansas City, pushing his on-base streak to 30 games and his hit streak to 18.

Chris Rhoads (5-3, 5.12) takes the mound for Kansas City tomorrow night opposite Matt Mossey (2-0, 2.84) and the RedHawks.  First pitch is set for 7:00.  To catch all the action while the T-Bones are on the road, tune to KXTR 1660 AM or click the listen live link at www.tbonesbaseball.com