Holovach, Bullpen Stymy Amarillo in 4-2 Kansas City T-Bones Win
After completing their rain delayed game earlier, a Kansas City T-Bones victory, the home team got 5-plus outstanding innings out of Blake Holovach and three relievers added 3.2 scoreless frames to down the Amarillo Thunderheads 4-1. Jake Blackwood and Nate Tenbrink each had two hits as the T-Bones won their third straight game.
The T-Bones got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first. Blackwood reached on an error and Tenbrink followed with a single. Blackwood beat the throw to third, which allowed Tenbrink to reach second. With Joe Rapp at the plate Amarillo starter Clayton Tanner uncorked a wild pitch to bring home Blackwood and give Kansas City the lead.
Holovach was pitching extremely well through the first five innings. He gave up a single to lead off the game and a one-out double put runners at second and third with one out, but the Kansas City starter struck out Juan Martinez before getting a fly ball to end the threat. Following a lead-off single in the second he retired the next nine in a row. In the fifth he loaded the bases with two outs but, again, came through with a big pitch to keep the game 1-0.
The Thunderheads starter was equally as impressive. Following the first inning run he only allowed two hits and two walks over the next five innings, to keep his team in the game.
His hard work paid off in the top of the sixth when the Amarillo Thunderheads tied the game. Drew Heid led off by drawing a walk. Two batters later Rene Leveret singled moving Heid to second, and Heid came around to score on a single by Jason Martin. That knotted the game at one.
The game did not stay tied for long. Billy Petrick relieved for Amarillo in the bottom of the seventh and was greeted by a Robby Kuzdale single to lead off the inning. Petrick retired the next two hitters, but an error by the Thunderheads third baseman allowed Brian Erie to reach and sent Kuzdale across the plate to give the Kansas City T-Bones the lead.
In the eighth Brooks Pinckard came on for the visitors looking to keep the contest a one-run game. Blackwood was the first batter he would face and, after fouling off five straight pitches to stay alive, he homered to make it a 3-1 game. It was Blackwood’s first home run of the season. A fielder’s choice by CJ Henry scored Tenbrink to make it 4-1, and that would be the final score.
Jonathan Kountis came on in the ninth to close the game out and, despite allowing a walk, recorded his first save of the season. Aaron Baker (1-0) continues his quick start, earning the win and keeping his scoreless streak intact through six appearances this season. Petrick (1-2) took the loss.
Blackwood and Tenbrink were the hitting stars for the Kansas City T-Bones. Blackwood was 2-4 with 2 runs scored and an RBI. Tenbrink was a perfect 2-2 with 2 walks and a run.
Boxscore Provided by the American Association
By Robert Pannier