Blasters Cruise in Spring Training Victory over Topeka
Published on May 14, 2016 under American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release
The Joplin Blasters claimed a third spring training victory on Saturday night, scoring early and often in a 10-3 victory over the Topeka Train Robbers of the Pecos League.
The Blasters scored in five of their eight half-innings, and never trailed in the contest. The scoring started in the bottom of the first, beginning with a leadoff walk drawn by Ronnie Richardson. Willie Cabrera got the offense going with two outs, drilling a home run over the left field wall to give the Blasters a 2-0 lead.
Will Soto started the third inning with a walk, and advanced to third on a stolen base and an error. Soto scored on a Richardson single to increase the Joplin lead to three runs. After a flyout, Geraldo Valentin and Willie Cabrera each drew a free pass to load the bases. With the bases loaded, Jake Taylor drew a walk, giving the Blasters a 4-0 lead.
Topeka got a run back in the fourth inning, after a leadoff single from Chris Scura turned into a run on a two out double by Riley King.
It didn't take long for the Blasters to respond, plating three more runs in the bottom of the fifth. Mitch Glasser led off the inning with a home run to left field, his first of spring training. The Blasters put two more runners on, with a sacrifice fly from Cie Arell driving in the first. Alberto Castillo pushed the Joplin lead to 7-1 in the fifth with an RBI single.
An RBI single from Topeka's Charles Reeves cut the Blaster lead to 7-2 in the top of the sixth inning. Reeves' hit drove in Chris Scura, who had drawn a walk.
The lead was re-extended to six runs in the bottom half of the frame. Glasser and Aaron Brill both reached on dropped fly balls, and Glasser scored on a sacrifice fly by Jesus Solorzano.
Topeka's half of the final score was culminated in the top of the eighth inning on an RBI single from Jordan Calliouet. Scura scored the run, his third of the game.
Joplin's scoring concluded in the bottom of the eighth, with Zack Burling and Richardson each crossing the plate.
Blaster starter Josh Evans was the victorious pitcher on Saturday night, tossing the first four innings with just the one run allowed. Evans retired the first nine hitters he faced from the Train Robbers with two strikeouts.
After a scoreless fifth from Aaron Picht, Carlos Fuentes pitched the next 3.1 innings, allowing just two hits. Axel Johnson finished the game for the Blasters, striking out the final two hitters of the contest.
Spring Training action concludes on Tuesday night at Joe Becker Stadium, with the Blasters battling an American Association opponent, the Lincoln Saltdogs. First pitch for the final spring contest is set for 6:35 p.m. in Joplin.
American Association Stories from May 14, 2016
- Ninth-Inning Rally Falls Short - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Blasters Cruise in Spring Training Victory over Topeka - Joplin Blasters
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- Coe Strikes out 14 as Saints Take Down Metro Minny All-Stars in Exhbition Game 9-2 - St. Paul Saints
- Pitching Strong in Kansas City - Winnipeg Goldeyes
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