The Kansas City T-Bones (34-38) saw an early five-run lead evaporate, but a walk-off single by center fielder Keanon Simon secured a 9-8 victory over the Wichita Wingnuts (40-32) in front of 5,526 fans on Friday night at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.
 
Kansas City opened up a 5-0 lead against Nick Singleton after four innings, using six hits and six walks to chase the right-hander after three-plus innings. Singleton walked in two runs in that span, but would not factor into the decision.

Devin Anderson held Wichita scoreless through five innings before allowing the first six batters to reach safely in the sixth on three hits, a walk and two hit batters. After a walk to Josh Workman reloaded the bases for the Wingnuts, Drew Graham entered and surrendered a sacrifice fly to his first batter before inducing an inning-ending double play groundout from Edwin Bellorin. Wichita scored four runs in the frame to pull within one, 5-4.

Anderson was charged with four runs on six hits in five-plus innings, but did not factor into the decision.

The T-Bones responded with three runs in the bottom half of the inning, collecting five hits in the frame while extending their lead to 8-4. Wichita answered quickly in the top of the seventh, loading the bases against Graham before Steven Stewart entered the contest. A double by Brent Clevlen and RBI groundout from Juan Richardson cut the deficit to one, 8-7.

Stewart remained in the game in the eighth and surrendered a leadoff single to Bellorin. After a groundout moved him to second, the Wingnuts’ catcher advanced to third on a wild pitch before scoring on a sacrifice fly by Tyler Robbins to tie the game at eight. Following another single, Kyle Dahman (2-3) took over for Kansas City and got Clevlen to flyout to end the inning.

Dahman held Wichita scoreless in the top of the ninth keep the teams even entering the bottom of the frame. Kendy Batista (0-1) remained in the game for the Wingnuts after a scoreless eighth and got a quick out before hitting the next two batters. Following a strikeout, Simon connected for his game-winning single to give the T-Bones a 9-8 victory.

Simon finished four-for-five with two bunt singles. Ray Sadler drove home a run with a single in the sixth inning to push his hit streak to 12 games. His on-base streak reached 20 games with a walk in his first at bat.

The two teams finish their short two-game series on Saturday night as Kansas City sends former Wingnut Trent Lare (2-2, 6.34) to the mound opposite Junior Guerra (6-2, 3.89) and Wichita. First pitch is set for 7:05. Saturday is also the Fourth Annual Kansas City A’s Reunion at CommunityAmerica Ballpark! There will be a special pre-game ceremony and the players will be available for autographs during the game. The award-winning Post-Game Fireworks Show presented by Verizon will follow the contest. Call 913-328-5618 or visit www.tbonesbaseball.com to secure your seats today!