Reid Santos threw seven strong innings for the Kansas City T-Bones (10-4) tonight as they took the first game of a three-game weekend set against the Joliet JackHammers (8-7), 9-4, in front of 5,336 fans at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.

After two quiet innings, the JackHammers struck for three runs off T-Bones starter Reid Santos (1-2) in the third.  A two-run home run by Kevin Rios opened the scoring and Ryan Basham capped the frame with an RBI single.  Kansas City cut the lead to 3-1 in the bottom half of the frame when Jacob Blackwood scored on a Ray Sadler single against Joliet starter Rory Shortell (0-3).

The score remained the same until the fifth, when Kansas City hit back-to-back home runs off the bats of Jim Fasano and Brian Joynt.  Fasano’s three-run shot gave the T-Bones a lead they would not relinquish. Shortell gave way to the bullpen following the fifth, surrendering five runs on nine hits while striking out two and walking one in the loss.

Kansas City added to their lead in the seventh as Sadler drew a leadoff walk and scored on a sacrifice fly by Fasano.  Santos exited after the seventh, giving up three runs, two earned on 11 hits while striking out five for his first win of the season.

Steven Stewart came out of the bullpen and worked the eighth inning, surrendering two hits, including a solo home run to Jon Nelson.  Kevin Light pitched a perfect ninth for Kansas City.

The T-Bones added insurance in the eighth with three more runs as Eladio Rodriguez doubled and scored on a Keanon Simon single.  Simon later scored from second on a wild pitch.  Rico Washington added a home run in the frame, pushing the score to 9-4.

Kansas City continues the series against Joliet Saturday night with first pitch set for 7:05.  The T-Bones send right-hander Cody McAllister to the bump opposite JackHammers right-hander Bear Bay.  Catch all the action through streaming webcast at www.tbonesbaseball.com or on the radio at KXTR 1660 AM.