08/14/2003 9:38 AM - D.J. Johnson induced some elevated heart rates for the over 4700 fans in attendance in the ninth inning, but managed to get Tyrone Pendergrass to bounce back to the pitcher for the final out in Kansas City’s 5-4 victory.

Johnson came on in the eighth inning after Tony Gomes allowed a leadoff walk. He got out of that inning, though he did allow a run to score. He came back out for the ninth inning and ran into control problems after striking out Ron Bush to start the inning. He walked the next two batters to put runners on first and second with only one out. It marked D.J.’s first appearance in which he has allowed more than one walk. Johnson then settled down and got a fly out by Cliff Lee before Pendergrass’ ground out ended the game. It was Johnson’s sixteenth save of the season.

T-Bones’ starter Nate Sevier allowed single runs in the first and third innings to give Sioux Falls an early 2-0 lead. Mike Byas’ singled and scored to start the scoring in the first inning and then hit a sacrifice fly to drive in the run in the third inning. Sevier would get a no-decision in the game. He pitched six innings, allowing three runs on eight hits while striking out five.

Eddie Pearson ensured that the lead would not last long. Eddie stepped to the plate in the bottom of the third inning and belted a Richie Burgess (2-6) pitch over the right field wall for his thirteenth home run of the season. The home run, his third in four games, now ties him with Tim Flaherty and Harry Berrios for the league lead. His three RBIs in the game tie him with Wes Chamberlain for the league lead in that category. Those stats, coupled with his league lead in hitting give Eddie a solid chance at the triple crown.

The Canaries’ took the lead in the top of the seventh inning when Ali Modami singled to score Keith Mitchell. It was at that point when Sevier was relieved by Tony Gomes. Gomes (3-4) entered the game with runners on second and third with nobody out. He proceeded to strike out Danny Pinkerton, get Curt Lee on a ground out, and retired Tyrone Pendergrass on a pop out to avert further damage and keep the score 3-2.

Gomes would pick up his third win of the year when the T-Bones bounced back to take a lead of their own with three runs in the bottom half of the inning. Bao Vinh’s single scored Jack Jones with the tying run and Rick Prieto’s double scored two runs to put the T-Bones ahead for good 5-3.

The win gives Kansas City an impressive 7-3 on their ten game homestand. They have now won their last seven home series. With Fargo’s loss to Joliet earlier in the day, the T-Bones sit tied atop the Western Division standings with a 17-12 record. The pennant hopes for the T-Bones now go on the road with the team as they travel to Lincoln for a three game series. They will return to Kansas City Aug. 18 to begin a three game series with the Schaumburg Flyers.