High-powered Kansas City Monarchs offense breaks out in weekend sweep
The comforts of home helped boost the Kansas City Monarchs to a dominant series sweep over the weekend, helping the club find its identity after a bumpy start to the season.
The American Association squad notched three wins over the Sioux Falls Canaries Friday through Sunday, improving to 3-4 and looking much more like a championship-caliber club in the process.
Kansas City’s offense has a pedigree that can match up with anyone at its level. That showed this weekend.
Chris Herrmann has been at the center of the KC attack. Limited in the opening series by a stomach bug, the former Twins and Diamondbacks catcher has been unstoppable as of late, earning Monday’s AAPB Batter of the Week award.
Herrmann is riding a six-game hitting streak during which he’s batting .583 with three home runs, 14 RBIs, five walks and just four strikeouts.
He’s far from the only Monarch who’s hot at the plate. Former big leaguer Johneshwy Fargas has thrived in the leadoff spot with a .406 on-base percentage and three steals in seven games. Third baseman and catcher Gavin Collins is batting .375. And fan favorite Jan Hernandez broke out of a slump over the weekend, going 5 for 10 with five walks, four RBIs and eight runs scored against Sioux Falls.
Bullpen finding its grove
While the offensive numbers are eye-popping, the Monarchs bullpen was just as important in the weekend sweep. Kansas City relievers held the Canaries to just one run over 12 innings, striking out 13 batters and walking three.
Right-hander Jordan Martinson, a returner from last year’s Monarchs squad, tossed three perfect innings in Saturday’s win. Martinson has struck out nine in 7 2/3 innings so far this season, allowing just one run.
Brandon Finnegan’s return to KC
Monarchs and Royals fans alike came out to Legends Field to watch Brandon Finnegan’s home debut for the Monarchs Saturday. The lefty tossed five innings of three-run baseball, earning his first win with the team in the 5-3 victory.
Finnegan has not walked a batter over 10 innings this season, striking out seven while allowing three runs.
Up next: The Monarchs start a three-game home series on Monday against the Milwaukee Milkmen, one of the preseason favorites in the East Division. Kansas City native and Park Hill grad Dalton Moats will start game one of the series for the Monarchs. First pitch is Monday at 7 p.m.
This story was originally published May 22, 2023 at 3:09 PM.