KANSAS CITY, Kan.- In the series opener the Gary SouthShore RailCats (13-13) fell to the Kansas City Monarchs (13-10) in a 3-1 pitcher’s duel at Legend’s Field in Kansas City, Kansas for the Monarchs sixth straight victory.
Monarchs' starter Justin Shafer earned his pay with 6.1 innings of one-run baseball with six hits and six strikeouts en route to his second win in a row against the RailCats.
Despite a 7.1-inning outing from RailCats starter Jack Alkire, the longest start on the year by any RailCat starter, Alkire was dealt the loss, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out eight.
The RailCats took an early 1-0 lead in the fourth after Michael Woodworth crossed the plate on an RBI, Zach Welz single in his first game since May 24. Welz went 1-for-3 in his return to the ‘Cats starting lineup.
Alkire had shut down the Monarchs’ bats with 5-innings of one hit baseball, but in the sixth frame, Kansas City put three on the board highlighted by a two-RBI single from Jan Hernandez who went 2-for-4 on the day with a double.
Monarchs’ shortstop Morgan McCullough also recorded a multi-hit effort with a 2-for-3 day at the dish in the Kansas City win.
In the ninth, Carlos Diaz closed things out, facing three and retiring three, for his fourth save of the 2021 season.
Game two between the Gary SouthShore RailCats and the Kansas City Monarchs is scheduled for tomorrow, June 16 at 1 p.m. at Legend’s Field in Kansas City.