Blasters Blank AirHogs for Series Win
July 26, 2015 - American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release
Grand Prairie, TX-On a scorching 104-degree Sunday in Texas, the Blasters rode the right arm of Nestor Molina to post a 5-0 shutout of the AirHogs at The Ballpark at Grand Prairie.
With three straight victories, Joplin (33-26) has now moved into a tie for the wild-card lead after a Kansas City loss. The Blasters took three of four at Grand Prairie (21-41) and finished their seven-game road trip with a 3-4 record. Joplin started the scoring with a single run in the fourth. Jake Taylor led off the inning with a line drive double into the left field corner. With one out, Carlos Ramirez drove in Taylor on a sacrifice fly to left.
In the eighth, Joplin scored three times for some insurance. Gabe Suarez started the rally with a single up the middle. Maikol Gonzalez followed with a liner into right. Yasser Gomez made it 2-0 with a base hit to center. Jairo Perez continued the hit parade with a high pop fly to shallow center that was lost in the sun and down for a single. Jake Taylor grounded out to short for another run. Omar Luna capped the inning with a base hit to right that made it 4-0. Carlos Ramirez put the finishing touches on the day with a solo home run leading off the ninth. It was Ramirez's team-leading ninth dinger of the season.
Nestor Molina turned in another brilliant performance on the mound. Molina (6-3) worked six innings and scattered five hits with five strikeouts and just one walk. Grand Prairie starter Bennett Whitmore suffered the loss. Whitmore (2-5) lasted eight innings and allowed four earned runs on ten hits with three strikeouts and no walks.
Joplin outhit Grand Prairie 11-to-5. Maikol Gonzalez went 2-for-4 with a run scored. Yasser Gomez had two hits with one RBI and a run. Jairo Perez finished 2-for-4 with a double. Omar Luna cracked two more hits with an RBI. Carlos Ramirez had the homer, two RBIs, and a run scored. Willie Cabrera had the only two-hit game for the AirHogs. It was the Blasters fifth shutout win of the season.
Joplin has two days off Monday and Tuesday. The next home stand starts Wednesday, July 29th against Laredo. The Blasters play three against the Lemurs and then welcome Gary SouthShore to town for a four-game set. 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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