by Hannah McIlree & Jonathan Michel

Franklin, WI. — The Milwaukee Milkmen were paced by a complete game gem from pitching ace David Holmberg and hung onto a 2-1 triumph over the Kansas City Monarchs on Monday.

The Monarchs struck early in the second inning when Gabby Guerrero, nephew of Vladimir Guerrero JR. hit a double off the center field wall. The next two batters grounded out, but the second would score Guerrero leaving the Milkmen down by one.

With two outs in the bottom of the second inning Trey Martin defied the wind and hit a home run over the left field fence tying it to one a piece.

Milkmen starter David Holmberg cruised through the middle innings, the only real threat being in the top of the 4th when Monarch’s first baseman Casey Gillaspie and left fielder Charcer Burks both singled with two outs but a groundout from center fielder Johnny Field.

One of the hottest bats in the Milkmen lineup, Anibal Sierra doubled in the bottom of the 5th with two outs but Brett Vertigan could not bring him home, grounding out to third to end the inning. Logan Trowbridge singled to start the 6th inning but Adam Brett Walker II grounded into a double play to extinguish any scoring threat.

The Milkmen finally broke through for the one run they needed in the bottom of the seventh when Trey Martin doubled down the left field line, scoring Aaron Hill. After sliding headfirst into first base for a single, Hill used his lightning-quick speed to his advantage, scoring from first.

“Anytime I’m on base and we get a ball in the gap or the ball down the line I know I can score from first and in a game like that every run matters, as soon as he hit it I was off,” said Hill

Holmberg shook off any need for manager Anthony Barone to use his bullpen, keeping the Monarchs shut out through the 8th and 9th innings, securing a 2-1 victory, the Milkmen’s third win in a row. Holmberg finished with 9 innings pitched, 1 earned run, 9 strikeouts, no walks, and 6 hits allowed.

Milwaukee and Kansas City will square off again Tuesday for the second game of their 4-game series. First pitch will be thrown at 6:35 PM.

Tickets and more info at MilwaukeeMilkmen.com

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