FARGO – One pitch prevented Jake Laber from setting a new standard for the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks.
Matt Padgett blasted a two-run home run in the first inning to lift the Kansas City T-Bones to a
2-1 victory Thursday in American Association baseball at Newman Outdoor Field.
“One pitch was the difference in the game, that’s for sure,” Laber said.
Laber missed a chance to move alone atop the F-M all-time wins list.
The left-hander is tied with Greg Salvevold (1997-2003) at 45 wins. Laber has one more chance to set the new franchise mark this season. He’s scheduled to start Monday’s regular-season finale.
“It would be a relief not to have to think about it over the winter,” Laber said.
Laber had a strong outing Thursday afternoon before 4,229 fans. He pitched into the eighth inning, limiting the T-Bones to four hits.
Kansas City generated all the offense it would need in the first inning.
Danny Richar drew a one-out walk before Padgett came to the plate. The left-handed swinging designated hitter cracked a line drive that sailed over the wall in center field to give the T-Bones a 2-0 lead.
The RedHawks scored their lone run in the seventh inning when Travis Higgs dumped an RBI single into right field, scoring C.J. Retherford from third base.
“We’re in a little bit of a rut, knowing we’re not going to be in the playoffs,” Laber said. “It maybe makes it a little harder to stay motivated. … I don’t change my approach.”
The RedHawks (40-55) start a four-game series at 7:02 tonight against the Sioux Falls Canaries at Newman, the final series of the regular season.
Kansas City RedHawks
ab r h bi ab r h bi
Mdlstdt 3b 4 0 0 0 Carll lf 2 0 0 0
Richar 3 1 1 0 Salrno 2b 4 0 0 0
Pdgtt dh 4 1 1 2 Jcksn cf 4 0 1 0
Sdler rf 3 0 0 0 Rthrfrd 1b 4 1 2 0
Schwnr 1b 3 0 0 0 Brqun 3b 3 0 0 0
Sbtlla lf 3 0 1 0 Higgs c 4 0 1 1
Kzdale cf 2 0 1 0 Tripp rf 4 0 0 0
Bianchi c 2 0 0 0 Thmpsn dh 3 0 1 0
Frias ss 3 0 1 0 Kskddn ss 3 0 0 0
Totals 27 2 5 2 31 1 5 1
Kansas City 200 000 000 –2 5 0
RedHawks 000 000 100 –1 5 1
E–Bourquin (11). LOB–KC 3, RedHawks 6. 2B–Thompson (4). HR–Padgett (6). SH–Bianchi. SB–Kuzdale (12). CS–Sabatella (9), Frias (3).
RedHawks
IP H R ER BB SO
DeVore W, 5-6 7 3 1 1 1 2
Mincey Z\c 1 0 0 0 1
Regas S, 21 1X\c 1 0 0 1 1
Kansas City
IP H R ER BB SO
Laber L, 7-11 7 4 2 2 3 3
Harris 1Z\c 1 0 0 0 1
Woods X\c 0 0 0 0 0
Umpires–Home: Wilmes. First: Thigpen. Third: Burch. Time–2:27. A–4,229.
