Blasters Bounce St. Paul to End Losing Streak
August 15, 2015 - American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release
Joplin, MO-The Blasters stamped out a season-high, five-game home losing streak with an impressive 3-1 win over the St. Paul Saints Friday night at Joe Becker Stadium.
With the victory, Joplin (42-34) improved to 10-1 in Friday night games during its inaugural season. The Blasters also jumped back into the wild card lead by a half-game over Kansas City as the T-Bones fell at Sioux City. Joplin remains four games back of first-place Wichita in the South Division.
The game was scoreless through the first four-and-a-half innings when Joplin finally broke through in the bottom of the fifth. Omar Luna led off the inning with line drive single to right. Jesus Solorzano moved Luna to second as he laid down a sacrifice bunt up the first base line. Mitch Glasser followed with a line drive base hit to right that placed runners at first and third. Oscar Mesa then served a soft liner up the middle into center that scored Luna with the game's first run. Maikol Gonzalez made it 2-0 with a single to right that brought home Glasser. The next batter, Steven Tinoco, squeezed home Mesa from third with a perfectly constructed bunt up the first base line that gave the Blasters a 3-0 cushion.
After threatening in the sixth, St. Paul (59-19) left the bases loaded. The Saints plated their only run of the game on a one-out, solo home run high and deep to left off the bat of Vinny DiFazio. DiFazio, the league's leading hitter, smashed his 15th homer of the season.
On the mound, Josue Montanez picked up the victory for Joplin. Montanez (2-2) worked five-and-a-third and yielded just two hits with no runs, five strikeouts, and four walks. Pedro Hernandez took the loss for St. Paul. Hernandez (8-3) lasted six innings and gave up three earned runs on seven hits with three strikeouts and one walk. Winston Abreu struck out the side to earn his 15th save of the season. The Joplin pitching staff struck out 11 batters.
At the plate, the Blasters outhit the Saints 7-to-3. Maikol Gonzalez went 3-for-4 with one RBI. Oscar Mesa had a hit, one RBI, and a run scored. For St. Paul, Angelo Songco had two of their three hits with a single and a double.
Joplin's six-game home stand continues Saturday night with game two of three against the St. Paul Saints. First pitch is set for 7:05. 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 15, 2015
- Blasters Fall to St. Paul in Tight Fit - Joplin Blasters
- Saints First to 60 Wins with 3-2 Victory over Blasters - St. Paul Saints
- T-Bones Can't Escape Big Inning in Sioux City - Kansas City Monarchs
- Kjeldgaard Goes 5 For 5 With Victory Over Kansas City - Sioux City Explorers
- Gonzalez and Roberts Lead the RailCats to Their Third Win in a Row - Gary SouthShore Railcats
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- Goldeyes Drop Three in a Row - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Alexander Goes the Distance, Staves off Fish 5-3 - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- American Association Results - AA
- Fish Rally Late, But Lose in Extras - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Wingnuts Sharp in All Three Facets, Knock off Laredo - Wichita Wingnuts
- Blasters Bounce St. Paul to End Losing Streak - Joplin Blasters
- Rosario and Del Valle Pace RailCats to a 6-2 Win - Gary SouthShore Railcats
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