Neb Brown (pictured) hit two home runs for the Kansas City T-Bones (26-34), but a three-run seventh inning by the Joliet JackHammers (24-38) proved to be the difference as they took game one of a three-game set, 5-3, at Silver Cross Field tonight.

Brown put Kansas City on the board first in the fourth inning with a one-out solo home run off Nate Sevier.  Joliet answered in the bottom of the frame against Ryan Knippschild (3-3) when Adam Klein singled, stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by catcher Ryan Fox, and scored on a single by Brad Correll.

The JackHammers added another run in the sixth for a 2-1 advantage.  Correll walked with one out and advanced to second on a wild pitch by Knippschild.  When the next batter, Kyle Nichols, grounded out to the catcher, Correll attempted to score when the plate was momentarily left vacant.  Fox chased Correll back but his throw to third deflected off Correll into left field, allowing the former T-Bone to score Joliet’s second run.

Mark Minicozzi homered to begin the seventh inning for the T-Bones to bring the score back to even at two.  Sevier left after inducing a flyout, giving way to Ryan Paul (3-3) with one out.  Kansas City loaded the bases with two singles and a walk, but couldn’t push another run across in the frame.

Sevier allowed two runs on four hits over six and one-thirds innings but did not factor into the decision.

Knippschild struck out the first batter in the seventh before two singles and a walk chased him from the contest.  Daniel Sattler entered with the bases loaded and surrendered a two-run single to Correll to start his outing.  After a walk to Kyle Nichols reloaded the bases, Joliet pushed the score to 5-2 on a sacrifice fly by Joe Gaetti.  After the run scored, Correll was thrown out trying to advance to third.

Knippschild was charged with five runs on seven hits over six and one-thirds innings in the loss.

Brown added his second home run with one out in the eighth against Paul to pull Kansas City within two, 5-3.  He finished two-for-four with two solo home runs to pace the T-Bones.  Chad Blackwell threw a scoreless ninth to earn his fourth save of the season.

Kansas City looks to snap a five-game skid tomorrow night as Chris Rhoads (3-3, 5.53) takes the mound against Rory Shortell (3-2, 3.79) and the JackHammers.  First pitch is set for 7:05.