Blasters Can'T Solve Saltdog Riddle; Fall 8-5
August 18, 2016 - American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release
The Joplin Blasters fell for the third night in a row to the Lincoln Saltdogs, dropping an 8-5 decision at Joe Becker Stadium on Wednesday night. The Saltdogs have won all seven of the games between the teams entering tomorrow's series finale.
After two scoreless innings worked by starters Shairon Martis and Mario Morales, the Saltdogs grabbed the opening lead in the top of the third. John Contreras hit a leadoff single to right field, and an error off the bat of Robby Kuzdale put runners on first and second with no outs. Cesar Valera bunted the Saltdogs to second and third, and both came in to score on a double by Curt Smith, which put him over 50 RBIs on the season.
The Blasters responded with two runs of their own in the bottom of the fourth. Joplin loaded the bases on an Edwin Gomez walk and singles by Brandon Tierney and Will Soto. With two outs in the frame, KC Huth singled down the right field line to score a pair, moving Soto to third. The inning came to an end when Soto was tagged out at the plate after an attempted delayed steal with Huth caught between first and second.
Wednesday's decisive inning for the Saltdogs was the sixth, when the visitors scored four times. On the second pitch of the inning, Brandon Jacobs hit a home run for the second time in as many nights. Two hit batsmen and a fielder's choice brought Contreras to the plate with two outs, and the nine-hole hitter belted his first Association home run. The pair of roundtrippers gave the Saltdogs a 6-2 lead.
Joplin got a run back in the bottom half of the inning, as Gomez led off the frame with a home run, his third of the season. Gomez's opposite field shot cut the Lincoln lead to three, 6-3.
Huth and Conor Sullivan reached to start the bottom of the seventh for the Blasters, singling and walking respectively. A double steal moved the runners to second and third, and Mitch Glasser drove in Huth with a groundout to the shortstop.
Lincoln scored in each of the game's final two innings. Kuzdale drove in Tyler Urps with a single in the eighth inning, and a Jon Smith fielder's choice brought Jacobs across the plate in the ninth. A pair of extra-base hits in the bottom of the ninth scored Joplin's final run. Alex Polston doubled into right field, and came home to score on a Glasser triple.
The Blasters will look to avoid the series and season sweep at the hands of the Saltdogs on Thursday night back at Joe Becker Stadium. Alex De La Cruz, who has allowed one total earned run in his last two starts, gets the ball for Joplin against Association ERA leader Lindsey Caughel. First pitch in Joplin is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
American Association Stories from August 18, 2016
- Wingnuts Score Late Again to Take Series - Wichita Wingnuts
- : Railcats Rally Late To Top Birds 3-2 - Sioux Falls Canaries
- O'Brien Shuts Down Saints in Series Finale - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Wingnuts Game Notes: August 18 vs. Kansas City - Wichita Wingnuts
- Saints Manage Two Hits in 9-3 Loss to Goldeyes - St. Paul Saints
- In Case You Missed It:Weekly Baseball and Basketball Report - OSC Original by Dan Krieger
- In Case You Missed It:Weekly Baseball and Basketball Report - OSC Original by Dan Krieger
- In Case You Missed It:Weekly Baseball and Basketball Report - OSC Original by Dan Krieger
- Airhogs Fall In Series Finale 3-0 - Texas AirHogs
- Blasters Can'T Solve Saltdog Riddle; Fall 8-5 - Joplin Blasters
- Goldeyes Win Twinbill Opener, Dashed by Rain in Nightcap - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Saints Hang On For 7-6, 6 Inning Rain Shortened Win In Game Two Of Doubleheader - St. Paul Saints
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.
