NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



 Joplin Blasters

Blasters Bullpen Comes to the Rescue in Series Clincher

September 5, 2015 - American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release


Lincoln, NE-The Blasters moved within one game of wild-card leading Laredo with a 6-3 series-clinching win over Lincoln Friday night at Haymarket Park.

Joplin (54-43) moved 11 games over .500 for just the second time this season. The Blasters won the series 3-games-to-1, and finished their season series with Lincoln (34-63) at 10-and-3. With three games remaining, Joplin is three games back of first-place Wichita in the South Division. Laredo sits just two games back of the Wingnuts.

The Blasters went on the attack early, scoring three first inning runs against the Saltdogs. Back-to-back doubles by Oscar Mesa and Jairo Perez gave Joplin its first run. Matt Padgett then made it 3-0 with a two-run home run onto the grassy berm in left-center. It was Padgett's eighth homer of the season and third since joining the Blasters.

Lincoln scored its first run of the night in the third. Matt Forgatch reached on a one-out infield single. With two outs, Curt Smith doubled to right-center to plate Forgatch.

Joplin increased its lead to 6-1 with single runs in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings. Aaron Brill had an RBI single in the fourth. Jake Taylor posted an RBI double in the fifth. Brill drove in his second run of the night on a sacrifice fly in the sixth.

The Saltdogs scored once in the eighth and another single run in the ninth. Both runs came courtesy of former Blasters catcher Juan Medina, who had two RBI singles. Lincoln loaded the bases in the ninth and had the tying run on at first when Mike Gilmartin flied out to the wall in deep left to end the night.

Joplin starter Luis Chirinos only lasted two-thirds of an inning before injury forced him from the game. In relief, Carlos Fuentes earned the victory. Fuentes (4-1) worked six-and-two-thirds and gave up just two earned runs on nine hits with ten strikeouts and only one walk. The ten strikeouts was a season-high for a relief appearance. Chase Cunningham took the loss for Lincoln. Cunningham (0-4) lasted six innings and allowed six earned runs on 11 hits with four strikeouts and one walk. Winston Abreu locked up his 22nd save of the season as he worked one-third of an inning in the ninth. Abreu gave up one hit and walked one before obtaining the final out.

The Blasters outhit the Saltdogs 14-to-12. Lincoln stranded 13 base runners. For Joplin, Maikol Gonzalez and Jairo Perez each had three hits. Oscar Mesa went 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Matt Padgett had the homer with two RBIs and a run. Every Blasters batter had at least one hit in the contest. Matt Forgatch led Lincoln with four hits and a run. Juan Medina finished 3-for-5 with two RBIs. Curt Smith had two hits, two runs and an RBI.

Joplin begins its final series of the regular season Saturday night in Sioux Falls against the Canaries. First pitch at The Birdcage is scheduled for 6:05. For 2016 ticket information and promotion specials at Joe Becker Stadium, call 417-622-4838 or visit the Blasters website at www.joplinblasters.com.

• Discuss this story on the American Association message board...

American Association Stories from September 5, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Joplin Blasters Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central