By Carter Woodiel, Kansas City Monarchs

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Kansas City Monarchs clinched their fifth consecutive appearance in the American Association playoffs with a 7-3 win over the Lincoln Saltdogs Thursday night at Haymarket Park.

The Monarchs (53-36) are the first team in the American Association to clinch a playoff spot. Their magic number is five to win the West Division, which they lead by six games.

Monarchs right fielder Micker Adolfo hit a home run and a two-run double. Taylor Snyder was 3-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs.

Monarchs starter Jalen Miller threw five scoreless innings to earn his 10th win of the season. He allowed four hits and five walks while striking out three.

Kansas City scored four runs before the game’s first out was recorded to take control of the game. Justin Wylie, Adolfo and Brian O’Grady contributed run-scoring doubles in the frame.

Saltdogs starter Tanner Brown was pulled in the middle of an at-bat without getting an out in the first inning. John Bezdicek took over from there, allowing two runs on five hits over six innings.

Snyder’s two-run home run gave Kansas City a 6-0 edge after three innings.

Lincoln closed the gap in the late innings. Luis Roman hit a solo homer in the sixth. Luke Roskam followed him up with his own solo shot in the seventh to make it 6-2.

Roman scored on a ground ball from Conor Panas in the eighth to get within three.

Adolfo blasted a no-doubt solo shot in the ninth to bring the game to its final score. It was Adolfo’s 12th home run of the season and second in as many nights. He has 10 RBIs over his last four games.

Patrick Weigel threw a scoreless ninth for Kansas City. Odubel Herrera made a diving catch in center field for the final out.

UP NEXT

Kansas City sets their sights on the division title this weekend against Winnipeg. The Goldeyes and Monarchs open a three-game series Friday night at 6:30 p.m. Brandon Finnegan will start for the Monarchs against Winnipeg’s Joey Matulovich.