Blasters Beaten by the Long Ball
August 1, 2015 - American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release
Joplin, MO-The Blasters gave up three home runs to Gary SouthShore and fell 10-1 in the series opener Saturday night at Joe Becker Stadium.
Despite the defeat, Joplin (35-28) remains tied for the wild-card lead with Kansas City as the T-Bones lost at Winnipeg. The Blasters dropped 3.5 games back of first-place Wichita in the South Division.
Gary SouthShore (30-35) opened the night with an emphatic statement in the second. Jose Sermo led off with an infield single. Adam Taylor followed with a base hit to right. With one out, newly acquired Alex Hernandez smashed a home run to deep left for a 3-0 lead. Gary had just signed Hernandez earlier in the day.
The RailCats pounced on Joplin for three more in the third. Drew Martinez was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. Jon Jones doubled to the wall in left. With runners at second and third, Michael Vaughn reached on a fielding error at second for a 4-0 cushion. Jose Sermo and Roger Bernal both added RBI singles and the lead swelled to 6-0.
Gary plated four more runs in the fifth and sixth innings combined. Jon Jones bagged his second double of the game leading off the fifth. He later scored on a bases loaded walk. In the sixth, J.D. Pulfer led off with a solo home run to deep left. It was Pulfer's second homer of the season. After a Drew Martinez single, Jones clubbed a two-run homer to left for a 10-0 advantage. Joplin's only run of the game scored in the eighth. Maikol Gonzalez had a lead-off double to right-center and later scored on a fielder's choice by Omar Luna.
On the mound for the RailCats, Charle Rosario set a new personal high for strikeouts as he picked up the win. Rosario (10-5) worked seven shutout innings and scattered six hits with seven strikeouts and one walk. Nestor Molina took the loss for the Blasters. Molina (6-4) pitched only four-and-a-third and allowed seven runs (six earned) on nine hits with two strikeouts and no walks.
SouthShore outhit Joplin 14-to-10. Jon Jones and Jose Sermo both collected three hits. Jones homered with two doubles, two RBIs, and three runs. Sermo drove in one and scored once. J.D. Pulfer, Drew Martinez, and Adam Taylor all had two-hit games. For Joplin, Jairo Perez went 3-for-3 and Jesus Solorzano had a two-hit night. The RailCats had hit only seven homers coming into the game, but sent three over the fence against the Blasters.
Joplin's seven-game home stand continues Sunday night with game two of four against Gary SouthShore. First pitch is at 5:05. For 2015 ticket information and promotion specials at Joe Becker Stadium, call 417-622-4838 or visit the Blasters website at www.joplinblasters.com.
American Association Stories from August 1, 2015
- American Association Results - AA
- Newcomer Come up Clutch in 4-2 Win in Ottawa - Wichita Wingnuts
- Blasters Beaten by the Long Ball - Joplin Blasters
- Matty Johnson Homers And Triples In X's 9-4 Win Over Grand Prairie - Sioux City Explorers
- Fish Fry T-Bones for Seventh Straight Win - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- RedHawks Shut out 3-0 by St. Paul - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Smith's Single Lifts 'Dogs in Series Opener - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Sneed Dazzles as Saints Become First Team to 50 Wins with 3-0 Shutout Victory over RedHawks - St. Paul Saints
- Big Inning Costs Kansas City - Kansas City Monarchs
- Medina Hoping to Take Opportunity with Wingnuts by Storm - Wichita Wingnuts
- RedHawks Fall to 'Hogs 7-4 - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Blasters Trap Lemurs for Series Victory - Joplin Blasters
- Goldeyes Finish off ThunderHeads - Winnipeg Goldeyes
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