Monarchs Win Miles Wolf Cup on O’Grady Walk-Off Hit
American Association Daily provides insights, features, and recaps of the action from around the American Association of Professional Baseball League, as well as player and coaching profiles and transactions. In today’s edition, Rob Pannier recaps Game 4 of the Miles Wolff Cup Finals as the Kansas City Monarchs defeat the Chicago Dogs on a walk-off hit by Brian O’Grady in the bottom of the ninth to win the American Association title.
TWITA: 2023 American Association Playoffs, Final Round, Game 4
Monarchs Win on Walk-Off Hit
The Kansas City Monarchs held a five run lead at one point, only to see the Chicago Dogs rally to tie the score. However, Brian O’Grady delivered a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth to give the Kansas City Monarchs a 7-6 victory and the Miles Wolff Cup. Taylor Snyder was named as the series MVP by This Week in the Association. Jan Hernandez earned the finals MVP award from the American Association.
After a scoreless first inning, Kansas City took the lead in the bottom of the second, scoring three runs against Chicago starter Steven Lacey. Micker Adolfo led off with a base hit and moved to second when Snyder singled two batters later. That brought Jacob Robson to the plate, who doubled into left-center, bringing home Adolfo. Snyder was thrown out of the plate trying to make it a two-run lead. Kansas City was able to extend the lead to two on a single by LJ Hatch, and a single and error by Dogs center fielder Nick Heath allowed Hatch to score.
The Dogs responded with a run in the top of the third. Cody Bohanek singled with one out and moved to second on a passed ball. An error allowed him the to move to third and he scored on a Payton Eeles single. The Monarchs did a little responding of their own in the bottom half of the third, adding three more to add to their run total. A single and a walk against Lacey started the inning, ending his day. Bryan Warzek came on and retired the first batter he faced, but O’Grady singled into right scoring Chris Herrmann. An error on the right field are enabled Hernandez to move into the third and he scored on a single by Snyder. Robson brought home O’Grady with a base hit to make it a five run Kansas City lead.
Chicago struggled against Kansas City starter Miller Hogan, scoring just one run through the first five innings. However, in the sixth, they cut the deficit to three. Eeles led off with a single and scored when Heath tripled. Ryan Lidge followed with a single to drive home Heath. Jordan Martinson came on in the seventh and retired two of the first three batters he faced. However, the lefty gave up back-to-back walks to load the bases, then gave up a single to Heath, cutting the Chicago deficit to one. In the eighth, the Dogs tied the score. Josh Altmann and Luke Mangieri led off with back-to-back singles. A sacrifice moved both runners into scoring position and Altmann scored on a Matt Bottcher ground out.
Chicago did not score in the top of the ninth, setting up the dramatic finish. Herrmann led off the bottom of the ninth with an infield single and moved to second on a ground out. The Dogs opted to walk Adolfo, bringing O’Grady to the plate. He quickly fell behind 1-2, then lined a single up the middle, giving the Monarchs the victory and the Cup.
Snyder was named the MVP of the series after going 6-17 with two runs scored and five RBI. Snyder had at least one hit in every game. He went 2-3 with an RBI on Wednesday. Matt Hartman earned the victory while Joe Cavallaro took the loss. Herrmann, O’Grady, Snyder, and Hatch all had two hits in the game. It had two hits and drove in three for Chicago. Eeles, Lidge, and Mangieri each had two hits as well.
Three Stars of the Night
No. 3 – Chris Herrmann (Kansas City Monarchs) 2-5, 2 R
No. 2 – Nick Heath (Chicago Dogs) 2-5, R, 3 RBI, Triple
No. 1 – Brian O’Grady (Kansas City Monarchs) 2-5, R, 2 RBI, Championship Series Clinching RBI
American Association Daily Notes
The Minor League Sports Report and This Week in the Association named Sioux Falls Canaries Mike Meyer and Sioux City Explorers Steve Montgomery as the 2023 American Association Co-Managers of the Year… Kansas City Monarchs’ John West was named by the American Association as the Club House Manager of the Year.
Transactions
None
American Association Articles on Minor League Sports Report
Explorers Montgomery, Canaries Meyer Named American Association Co-Managers of the Year
Sioux Falls Canaries Jordan Barth Named American Association Rookie of the Year
2023 American Association Miles Wolff Cup Finals Preview
TWITA: 2023 Miles Wolff Cup Finals Preview with Chicago Dogs Sam Brief
TWITA: 2023 Miles Wolff Cup Finals Preview with Kansas City Monarchs Carter Woodiel
2023 American Association East Division Finals Preview
2023 American Association West Division Finals Preview
TWITA: 2023 West Division Finals Preview with Dan Vaughan, Sioux City Explorers
TWITA: 2023 West Division Finals Preview with Carter Woodiel, Kansas City Monarchs
TWITA: 2023 West Division Finals Preview with Dan Vaughan, Sioux City Explorers
TWITA: 2023 East Division Finals Preview with Sam Brief, Chicago Dogs
By Robert Pannier