Shorthanded Railroaders Come Up Short in Extras

CLEBURNE, Tex. (June 5, 2021) – A four-run top of the tenth inning proved to be the difference as the Kansas City Monarchs rallied past the Cleburne Railroaders 11-7 on Saturday night at The Depot at Cleburne Station.

The Railroaders (7-10) had just three available pitchers for the game, two of which were signed just before the game. Jesus Sanchez was signed to pitch for just one game, and in his first appearance of the season battled through six innings, allowing five runs on eight hits. Newcomer Emerson Martinez worked the seventh and eighth, and Mason Melotakis pitched the ninth before Cleburne was forced to turn to a pair of position players in the top of the tenth. After two walks and a single to start the inning, Kansas City (7-8) got a sacrifice fly from Johnny Field and a three-run homer from Jan Hernandez to grab an 11-7 lead that proved to be the final score.

Cleburne trailed 5-0 heading into the bottom of the third, but battled back to take a 7-5 lead. Alay Lago got the scoring started with an RBI single in the third, then Noah Vaughan ripped a long three-run home run in the fourth to pull within 5-4. The Railroaders took the lead in the sixth on three run-scoring singles from John Nester, Lago, and Zach Nehrir.

Kansas City cut the lead to 7-6 in the seventh on a bases-loaded hit by pitch to Ryan Grotjohn, but Martinez struck out Mason McCullough to strand three Monarchs. Martinez then retired the side in the order in the eighth, but Colin Willis tied the game in the ninth with a two-out, two-strike double against Melotakis. 

The Railroaders had an opportunity to win the game in the bottom of the ninth, putting the winning run at third base with two outs, but Kansas City closer Carlos Diaz (2-0) struck out pinch-hitter Tyler Ryan to squelch the threat.

Osvaldo Martinez allowed three of the four runs in the top of the tenth. Colton Pogue (0-1) started the inning on the mound, but issued a four-pitch walk before being lifted.  

The Railroaders and Monarchs conclude the series on Sunday night at 6:00 PM. Left-hander Michael Gunn (0-2, 7.02) gets the start for Cleburne, while the Monarchs will counter with right-hander Nick Travieso (0-3, 10.94).

For information on partnerships, season tickets, group outings, and party packages, call the Railroaders main office at (817) 945-8705, or visit the Railroaders official website at www.railroaderbaseball.com.

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