KC Monarchs Update: Grant Gavin named Pointstreak Pitcher of the Week
Photo by Emma Crouch
KC Monarchs Update is our weekly look at what’s happening with hometown baseball heroes, both at Legends Field and on the road. Check out their season schedule here.
Grant Gavin’s latest run of success has earned him a special recognition.
The Kansas City Monarchs starting pitcher and Parkville, Missouri native has been named the American Association’s Pointstreak Pitcher of the Week for the week ending June 16.
The right-hander earned the honor for a superb outing on Friday at Milwaukee. He struck out 13 batters over seven scoreless innings, allowing no walks and only four hits, all singles.
“My mentality is I’ve got to attack hitters, and I’ve got to force them to make action,” Gavin said Friday after his start. “When I get on a roll and I can string some outs together, it gives me confidence.”
It was Gavin’s second 13-strikeout performance of the year, after another Monarchs victory on May 20 against Kane County.
Gavin credited Monarchs catcher Hayden Jones, who was calling pitches for both of those games.
“He’s done a really good job of adjusting to what I want to throw, and knowing the situations of what to call,” Gavin said. “I enjoy having him back there.”
Gavin is the first Monarch to earn a weekly honor from the Association this season.
FRANKIE’S ON FIRE
Monarchs first baseman Frankie Tostado has emerged as one of the league’s elite hitters.
The former Giants and Nationals prospect first baseman enters Thursday hitting a league-best .384 at the plate, recording 48 hits in 32 games.
Tostado has also logged 14 doubles this season, putting him tied for first in the AAPB.
The California native is riding a season-long 13-game hitting streak, including 11 multi-hit games since June 4th. Tostado hit a team-best 6-for-12 with two doubles, one home run, and 3 RBI in KC’s series win at Milwaukee.
A CLASSIC COMEBACK
Kansas City marked its largest come-from-behind win with a decisive 9-8 win in extra innings on Monday night.
The victory marked the fifth win this season where Kansas City has trailed by at least three runs.
The Monarchs advanced to 13-5 when hitting a home run in a game after Herbert Iser’s three-run blast to right field gifted KC the lead over the Kane County Cougars. Iser led the Monarchs with a season-high four RBI.
RETURNING HOME WITH PRIDE
The Monarchs return home to Kansas City for a six-game homestand June 25-30. It will be the Monarchs’ first games at Legends Field since May 26.
Tuesday is the Monarchs’ annual Pride Night at Legends Field. Friday the 28th features a shirt giveaway for the first 750 fans in attendance, and Saturday is K-State night. Full details at MonarchsBaseball.com.
