By MATT McMULLEN

tbonesbaseball.com

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Byron Wiley had a career night for the T-Bones, falling a double short of the cycle in an 8-5 Kansas City win over Laredo in front of 5,564 at CommunityAmerica Ballpark on Friday night.

Wiley hit a three-run home run in the fourth and tied the game, and then an RBI triple in the sixth that gave Kansas City the lead, and they would never look back.

Things started poorly for the T-Bones, however, as the Lemurs and their high-powered offense got off to a quick start against Kansas City starter Rick Zagone, who struggled in his previous start, last weekend at Laredo. With one out in the second inning, Gerardo Avila singled and Angel Flores walked before Josh Scheffert shot a single up the middle, scoring Avila. Nick Van Stratten later singled in the inning, scoring Flores and pushing the Laredo advantage to 2-0. Travis Denker tacked on another run in the third, blasting his league-leading 13^th home run over the left field wall.

Kansas City finally got to Laredo starter Tyler Pearson in the fourth, when David Espinosa led off the inning with a single and Danny Richar walked. Wiley then tied the game with one swing, knocking a 3-1 pitch over the left field wall for his third home run of the season.

Wiley was back at it in the sixth, shooting an RBI triple to right field that scored Richar, who opened the inning with a walk. Wiley then came home on a wild pitch by Seth Lintz, who had come on in relief of Pearson. Brian Erie appeared to hit into an inning-ending double play following a walk by T.J. Mittelstaedt and a Vladimir Frias single, but the relay throw skipped by first baseman John Alonso’s glove and allowed Mittelstaedt to come around and score, extending Kansas City’s lead to 6-3.

Both clubs would score two more runs apiece, but Kansas City was able to come away with the victory. Zagone picked up his fifth win of the season for Kansas City, tossing six strong innings. Pearson took the loss for Laredo (4-3). Kris Regas picked up his seventh save.  

With the win, Kansas City climbs back to .500 at 17-17, while Laredo falls to 17-16. The T-Bones continue their three-game series with Laredo Saturday night at 7:05. Tickets are available by calling the Providence Medical Center Box Office at CommunityAmerica Ballpark at 913-328-5618.