SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — All five Sioux Falls runs were scored in one inning Friday night but that was all the Birds needed as they downed Kansas City 5-4 at Sioux Falls Stadium.
Monarchs designated hitter Matt Adams opened the scoring with a two-run homerun in the top of the first inning. The score held until the Canaries plated five runs in their half of the third. Sioux Falls loaded the bases with one out before a throwing error allowed two runs to score. Gavin LaValley, John Nester and Shamoy Christopher each followed with an RBI single before Kansas City could escape the inning.
The Monarchs got two runs back on a Pete Kozma single in the fourth inning but could get nothing going against the Sioux Falls bullpen, which allowed one baserunner in four innings.
LaValley and Nester each had two of the ten Canaries hits in the contest while Angel Ventura threw five solid innings to earn his first victory. The Canaries are now 12-26 overall and will look to clinch the series Saturday night at 6:05pm.