Blasters Comeback Falls Short in Loss to Rockland
Published on August 14, 2015 under American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release
Joplin, MO-The Blasters rallied from an eight-run deficit only to come up one run short in an 8-7 loss to the Rockland Boulders Thursday night at Joe Becker Stadium.
Joplin (41-34) dropped out of the wild card lead as Kansas City posted a win Thursday to move a half-game up. The Blasters also fell to four games back of first-place Wichita in the South Division.
Rockland (48-26) closed out the three-game series sweep with their franchise record 11th straight win. The Boulders set the tone with a four-run first. With two outs, Stephen Cardullo doubled to right-center and then scored on a stolen base and a catcher's throwing error. Joe Maloney and Marcus Nidiffer smashed solo home runs to deep left for a 3-0 lead. Charlie Law singled and scored on a double from Steve Nyisztor to cap the inning.
The Boulders scored three more two-out runs in the second. Junior Arrojo was hit by a pitch and stole second and third. Stephen Cardullo singled for a 5-0 cushion. Joe Maloney reached on an error. Marcus Nidiffer made it 7-0 with a ground-rule double to the gap in right-center.
The Blasters opened their scoring with a two-out, solo home run high and deep to left by Carlos Ramirez in the fifth. They scratched an unearned run across in the sixth for an 8-2 deficit. In the seventh, Omar Luna led off with a single to right. That was followed by Ramirez's second homer of the night, a two-run shot high over the left field fence. Oscar Mesa then walked with one out and later scored on an RBI single from Steven Tinoco that made it 8-5. Ramirez's torrid pace at the plate continued with a two-out, two-run home run in the eighth to chop the lead to 8-7. Luna had singled in front of Ramirez to reach base. It was Ramirez's third big fly of the game and his 13th of the season to take over the team lead. It also marked the first three-homer game in the franchise's inaugural season.
Rockland starter Alex Gouin posted the win. Gouin (6-2) lasted six-and-two-thirds and gave up five runs (four earned) on six hits with three strikeouts and two walks. For Joplin, starter Matt Parish suffered the loss. Parish (2-3) only pitched two-thirds of an inning and yielded four runs (three earned) on five hits with one strikeout. Luis Sanz earned his 15th save of the season for the Boulders after he pitched one-and-a-third with two strikeouts and one walk. Sanz gave up the two-run homer in the eighth.
Joplin's six-game home stand continues Friday night with game one 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 14, 2015
- Grayson Homers in Canaries 6-2 Loss on Friday Night - Sioux Falls Canaries
- 'Dogs Come Back to Beat Boulders on Walk-Off Walk - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Saints Come out Flat in 3-1 Loss to Blasters - St. Paul Saints
- T-Bones Drop Series Opener in SC - Kansas City Monarchs
- Four Run Eighth Inning Carries X's To Victory - Sioux City Explorers
- Goldeyes Bring in Boddicker - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Fundraiser for Kaiser Carlile Memorial to be Held August 21st - Wichita Wingnuts
- Jones Back in the Outfield While Vaughn Moves to D.L. - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Saints to Induct Royals Senior Advisor Mike Arbuckle into Professional Baseball Scouts Hall of Fame - St. Paul Saints
- Blasters Comeback Falls Short in Loss to Rockland - Joplin Blasters
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