By Nolan Brooks, Kansas City Monarchs

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Game two between the Kansas City Monarchs and Lincoln Saltdogs was nothing short of amazing. The Monarchs came up short in extra innings in a 10-7 loss at Legends Field.

The Monarchs rallied to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth, but a Nate Samson three-run homer in the 10th stood up as the game-winner for Lincoln.

Jacob Robson scored the first run of the game with a monster solo home run in the first inning. The Monarchs have scored in the first inning in six consecutive games.

Both pitchers would then settle in and both teams went quiet until the fifth inning.

Lincoln got the bats going on a double from Samson. Samson would later score on a ground out that allowed him to score, making it a 1-1 ballgame.

Justin Wylie drew a walk to get on base and that set up Robson’s RBI triple. Jan Hernandez then drove in Robson with a sacrifice fly, putting the Monarchs up 3-1.

Lincoln turned on the bats in the sixth inning putting up six runs. Nick Anderson had an RBI triple that tied the game. Yanio Perez had an RBI single that gave the Saltdogs the lead. Aaron Takacs’ RBI single added to the Lincoln lead and a Drew Devine two-run homer made it 7-3 Lincoln.

The Monarchs began their comeback one inning at a time. Johneshwy Fargas stole three bases Tuesday night. Fargas’ last one set up a ground out by Hernandez that allowed him to score, 7-4 Saltdogs.

One inning later in the eighth, Gavin Collins smashed his first homer as a Monarch. Collins’ homer made it a 7-5 ballgame heading into the ninth.

The Monarchs turned on the jets in the ninth inning. A Robson single and Hernandez walk set up a Chris Herrmann RBI single. A Collins walk loaded the bases and Hernandez took home on a wild pitch that made it 7-7 and forced extra innings.

The Saltdogs did not want the Monarchs to fully complete the comeback. Samson showed his veteran plate discipline and smashed his three-run homer.

Despite the Monarchs loading the bases again in the bottom of the 10th, Saltdogs reliever Nic Laio shut the door on the Monarchs to get his first save of the year.

Monarchs reliever Grant Gavin got the loss (0-1) and Steffon Moore got the win (1-0).

UP NEXT

The Monarchs conclude a three-game home series against the Lincoln Saltdogs. Game three is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Wednesday.