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. Robert Pannier recaps the two games in the opening contest of the division finals in the American Association on Friday, including Leobaldo Pina homering twice to lead the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks over the Chicago Dogs, and Ibandel Isabel going deep twice to lead the Kansas City Monarchs in a rout of the Sioux City Explorers. This and much more.

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Isabel Homers Twice as Monarchs Crush Explorers

The Kansas City Monarchs received a big night out at the heart of their order, as they dominated the opening contest of their series with the Sioux City Explorers, 11-2. Gabriel Guerrero, Casey Gillaspie, and Ibandel Isabel each drove in three runs in the contest. Darnell Sweeney walked four times and scored two runs to support a spectacular start by Matt Hall, who allowed one run in six innings.

Kansas City got off to a fast start thanks to a two run first-inning. The lead held until the fifth, when Guerrero hit a two-run homer to put the Monarchs up by four. Sioux City responded with a run in the top of the sixth and twice had the bases loaded, but a line out, double-play ended the frame. Kansas City responded with two runs in the bottom of the sixth to extend their lead to five. Isabel blasted his first homerun of the playoffs and he would add his second homer an inning later, capping off a five-run frame.

Guerrero finished with four hits and scored two runs. Isabel, Sweeney, and Ryan Grotjohn each scored two runs as well. Michael Lang had a big night for Sioux City, going 3-4 with a run and an RBI.

Sioux City Explorers Recap by Connor Ryan

Kansas City Monarchs Recap by Jack Johnson

Boxscore

Pina Homers Help RedHawks Soar to Victory

Leobaldo Pina homered twice, as the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks downed the Chicago Dogs, 9-4. Pina helped stake his team to a two-run, second inning lead. Kevin Krause led off the frame with his first homerun of the playoffs and Pina followed with his first two batters later. In the fourth, Pina extended the lead for with a two-run shot. Chicago rallied for two runs in the bottom of the fifth and pulled within a run on a Joey Terdoslavich homerun in the bottom of the seventh. However, Jordan George blasted a two-run shot in the top of the eighth to extend the lead to three. Chicago would pull back within two in the bottom half of frame, but three runs in the top of the ninth put this contest out of reach.

Bret Helton pitched well, allowing two runs in five innings. Pina finished a perfect 4-4 with three runs and three RBI. George had two hits and drove in four. The Dogs were led by Terdoslavich with two hits and two RBI. K.C. Hobson and Danny Mars each had two hits as well.

Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks Recap by Chad Ekren

Chicago Dogs Recap by Jack Ankony

Boxscore

This Week in the Association and Minor League Sports Report Sponsored by PURE

Three Stars of the Night

No. 3 – Ibandel Isabel (Kansas City Monarchs) 2-4, 2 R, 2 HR, 3 RBI

No. 2 – Gabriel Guerrero (Kansas City Monarchs) 4-5, 2 R, w HR, Double, 3 RBI

No. 1 – Leobaldo Pina (Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks) 4-4, 3 R, Double, 2 HR, 3 RBI

This Week in the Association and Minor League Sports Report Sponsored by PURE

American Association Daily Notes

None

This Week in the Association and Minor League Sports Report Sponsored by PURE

Transactions

Chicago: Activated RHP Michael Bowden from the Injured List; Placed INF Grant Kay on the Injured List retroactive to September 6

Cleburne: Exercised the 2022 contract options on the following players: RHP Garrett Alexander, RHP Brendan Bell, LHP Kody Bullard, OF Hunter Clanin, RHP Edward Cruz, RHP Jalen Evans, C Skyler Ewing, LHP Austin Fairchild, RHP Nick Gardewine, LHP Michael Gunn, INF Ramón Hernández, RHP Kevin Hilton, RHP Landon Holifield, RHP Daniel James, RHP Michael Krauza, INF Alay Lago, RHP Jheyson Manzueta, RHP Emerson Martinez, INF Osvaldo Martinez, OF Zach Nehrir, INF Colton Pogue, C Tyler Ryan, RHP Jesus Sanchez, INF Chase Simpson, OF Noah Vaughan and RHP Jake Yogel

Kansas City: Activated LHP Matt Hall from the Injured List; Placed RHP Cole Duensing on the Injured List retroactive to August 25

By Robert Pannier