Cleburne Homers beat Monarchs in series opener

Cal Friedman

KANSAS CITY, Kansas – Lightning flashed and thunder rumbled at Legends Field Friday night. The Kansas City Monarchs and Cleburne Railroaders had a brilliant start despite all adversities. The Railroaders won 9:6.

Kansas City (20-21) started fast, scoring two runs in the first inning. Frankie Tostado had his 29th RBI of the season and scored on a single for Danny Amaral.

The former Monarchs railroader put in a good performance against his former employer. Trent Giambrone sparked a rally with two outs in the third and put the Monarchs up 4-0. The former major league player finished Friday night with 2 for 4.

Cleburne (25-20) came alive in the middle innings, scoring seven unanswered runs. The Railroaders got two runs back in the fifth inning on a double by Korey Holland.

Former Monarch Brian O’Grady completed the comeback for Cleburne in the sixth inning by hitting a two-run home run to right field to make it 5-4.

O’Grady won the 2023 Miles Wolff Cup championship with Kansas City. The hit was the second of three home runs Cleburne hit in that inning.

The Railroaders led 7-4, but KC caught up in the eighth round and reduced the deficit to one point.

Herbert Iser opened the party with a double to left center that scored Giambrone. Josh Bissonette brought Iser home with a sacrifice fly to center field, cutting Cleburne’s lead to 7-6.

Iser finished Friday night with two hits and two RBIs.

After a delay of nearly 30 minutes, the Railroaders won the game. Cleburne scored two more runs in the ninth inning, including the fourth home run of the game by Carter Aldrete.

The Monarchs and Railroaders continue their series on Saturday on K-State Night at Legends Field. Jackson Goddard will start the game for Kansas City against Cleburne’s Antonio Velez. Fans can watch the game on 38 The Spot. Tickets are available at monarchsbaseball.com.