[rink23]

Record: 70-48, 2nd, 4.5 GB Des Moines
Tied 1-1, Ramon Puente hit a three-run homer to highlight a four-run top of the fifth inning for Kansas City, and that helped propel the Monarchs to a 5-4 win over St. Louis at Busch Stadium (1997).
Three-consecutive singles -- from Jason Gillem., Tony Martinez and Darren Miller -- off River Walkers starter Jerry Tate got things going for the Monarchs in the top of the fifith.
Miller's single scored Gillem to break the 1-1 tie.
After a pair of fly outs, Ramon Puente hit a three-run homer on a 1-2 pitch as the KC lead grew to 5-1.
The Walkers did score three times in the bottom of the fifth, Jose Segura collecting all three RBIs with a bases-loaded double off Grayson Rodriguez.
That, however, would be the end of the scoring.
Monarchs starting pitcher Victor Vodnik lasted 4.2 innings, allowing three runs on three hits.
Rodriguez (2-1) finished the fifth and worked a scoreless sixth for KC.
He would earn the win.
Travis Whitaker, Matthew Broussard and Dominic Pipkin all pitched a scoreless inning to close out the win.
Pipkin earned his fourth save.
Tate (12-1) saw a string of 12 straight victorious decisions come to an end.