Rough first inning leads to T-Bones loss

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Kansas City allowed five runs in the first inning in a 7-3 loss to Grand Prairie in front of 5,028 Wednesdaynight at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.

Rick Zagone (6-4) retired the first batter he faced, Jimmy Mojica, but then walked Alex Nunez and gave up a single to Abel Nieves before Jason Botts launched a three-run home run over the left-field wall. Brian Myrow then singled and would come around to score when Brian Peterson homered later in the inning, giving the AirHogs an early 5-0 lead.

Kansas City would respond with a run of its own in the bottom of the first. With two outs, Bryan Sabatella singled, stole second, and scored on a Ray Sadler single that cut the Grand Prairie advantage to 5-1.  

Trailing 6-1, the T-Bones inched closer in the fourth, cashing in on a leadoff double by Nick Schwaner. Vladimir Frias moved Schwaner to third Brian Erie grounded out, scoring Schwaner and bringing Kansas City to within four runs, 6-2.

The T-Bones got a spark in the eighth when Ray Sadler led off the inning with his 13th home run of the season (third with Kansas City) against reliever Tobin Mateychick, but then Mateychick retired the T-Bones in order.

Danny Gutierrez (1-1) picked up his first win of the season for Grand Prairie. Zagone, who last won on June 26, gave up six runs and eight hits in 4 innings in the loss.

The T-Bones (31-34), begin a three-game series at Lincoln (32-30) Friday night at 7:05 p.m. The game can be heard on 1660-AM or online at tbonesbaseball.com.