Blasters Big First Not Enough in Loss to Lincoln
August 26, 2015 - American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release
Joplin, MO-The Blasters allowed ten unanswered runs and had their three game winning streak snapped with a 10-4 loss to Lincoln Tuesday night at Joe Becker Stadium.
Joplin (46-42) has fallen two games behind wild-card leading Laredo after the Lemurs shut out Grand Prairie Tuesday. With the win, the Saltdogs (31-57) stamped out a season-high ten-game losing streak.
The Blasters opened the scoring in a big way with a four-run first. With one out, Steven Tinoco singled on a liner into center. Omar Luna followed with a walk. Matt Padgett loaded the bases with a single to right. The next batter, Jake Taylor, belted a grand slam deep to left into the bullpen for a 4-0 lead. It was Taylor's first grand slam of the season and his team-leading 14th homer. It was the club's third grand slam of the season and second in last four days.
Lincoln cut the Joplin lead in half with a two-spot in the third. Aaron Payne led off the inning with a double to the wall in left. C.J. Ziegler reached on a ground ball error at third. Mitch Canham then delivered a one-out single to left that brought in the first run. Brian Joynt singled home the second run to cut the deficit to 4-2.
The Saltdogs leveled the game the very next inning. Leading off the fourth, Tucker White reached on an infield single up the third base line. Eddie Young attempted to bunt the runner up but reached with an infield single. A sac bunt moved the runners to second and third. After the second out, C.J. Ziegler smacked a line drive to left that plated both White and Young for a 4-4 tie.
Lincoln took the lead for good with a highly productive fifth. Brian Joynt singled to start the inning. Ryan Wiggins reached with a one-out base hit. After a pitching change, Tucker White walked to load the bases. Eddie Young singled to give the Saltdogs a 5-4 lead. A double to right by Aaron Payne brought in two more runs. Young later scored on a wild pitch for an 8-4 lead. Mitch Canham made it a six-run difference with a two-RBI single to left-center.After giving up the slam in the first, Kevin McGovern settled in and posted the win on the mound for Lincoln. McGovern (5-8) worked six innings and gave up four earned runs on ten hits with six strikeouts and four walks. Alberto Castillo took the loss for Joplin. Castillo (1-3) lasted four-and-a-third and allowed six earned runs on 12 hits with three strikeouts and no walks.
Lincoln outhit Joplin 17-to-12. Every Saltdog in the starting lineup had at least one hit. Aaron Payne and Tucker White both had three-hit games. Both scored twice and Payne drove in two. Eddie Young and Ryan Wiggins each had two hits. Mitch Canham and Brian Joynt both finished 2-for-6. Canham posted three RBIs. For Joplin, Steven Tinoco and Carlos Ramirez each had three hits. Omar Luna and Matt Padgett both collected two hits in defeat.
The Blasters and Saltdogs play the rubber match Wednesday night at 7:05. Joplin's final home stand of the season continues through Sunday, August 30th. For 2015 ticket information and promotion specials at Joe Becker Stadium, call 417-622-4838 or visit the Blasters website at www.joplinblasters.com.
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