Blasters Complete Sweep of First-Place Wichita
August 10, 2015 - American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release
Wichita, KS-The Blasters have moved within one game of first-place Wichita following a thrilling 4-2 victory Monday night at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium.
With the win, Joplin (41-31) completed a two-game sweep of the Wingnuts and finished its season series against Wichita with a 7-4 mark. The Blasters also remain in the wild card lead in the American Association after a 5-2 road trip through the Sunflower State.
The Blasters opened the scoring with a single run in the fourth. With one out, Omar Luna tripled up the right field line. The next batter, Mitch Glasser, drove in Luna on a sacrifice fly to shallow left.
In the fifth, Wichita (43-31) took its first and only lead of the night. Jayce Ray singled to left to start the inning. Taylor Smart reached on an infield single to short. David Espinosa then bounced into a 6-4 fielder's choice. Luis Hernandez followed with a one-out double to the gap in right-center that gave Wichita a 2-1 lead.
Joplin had a rapid response in the next half inning. To start the sixth, Jairo Perez was hit by a pitch. One out later, Jake Taylor belted the first of two home runs on the night deep to left for a 3-2 advantage. After a scoreless seventh, Taylor added a one-out solo home run to deep left-center. The two big flies gave Taylor a team-high 12 for the season. Taylor is the third Blasters hitter to enjoy a two-homer night. Carlos Ramirez and Maikol Gonzalez were the first two that accomplished the feat.
On the mound, Luis Chirinos picked up the win for Joplin. Chirinos (6-6) worked five innings and gave up two earned runs on five hits with four strikeouts and three walks. Chirinos is now 3-1 since joining the Blasters. Wichita starter Jason Van Skike suffered the loss. Van Skike (6-5) lasted six innings and gave up three earned runs on six hits with five strikeouts and two walks. Winston Abreu gave up a hit in the ninth but earned his 14th save of the season.
Joplin and Wichita each posted eight hits in the game. Steven Tinoco went 3-for-5 with two single and a double. Jake Taylor finished 3-for-4 with the two homers, a triple, and three RBIs. Jayce Ray had a two-hit game for the Wingnuts. Luis Hernandez collected two RBIs.
Joplin returns home for a six-game stand against Rockland and St. Paul starting Tuesday night and running through Sunday. First pitch Tuesday 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 10, 2015
- Humphries Homers in 5-2 Loss to Sioux City - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Blasters Complete Sweep of First-Place Wichita - Joplin Blasters
- Saints Inch Closer to Division Title, Drop Magic Number to Two with 7-1 Win and Sweep of Goldeyes - St. Paul Saints
- Goldeyes Fall Flat against Saints - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- X's Get Thirteenth Consecutive Win Of The Season - Sioux City Explorers
- Saints Set Franchise Attendance Mark in Just 37 Games - St. Paul Saints
- Wingnuts Add Former Texas Lutheran Star to Bullpen - Wichita Wingnuts
- Jerome Pena Named American Association's Pointstreak Player of the Week - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Rob Wort Named Pitcher of the Week - Sioux City Explorers
- Wort Named Pitcher of the Week - AA
- Pena Earns Player of the Week Honors - AA
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