Blasters Drop Series Finale as Laredo Pulls Away
June 17, 2016 - American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release
The Joplin Blasters lost the series finale to the Laredo Lemurs on Thursday night, surrendering the final ten runs of the game to the visitors in a 15-4 decision. The Lemurs claimed the series victory over the Blasters with the victory, and have won four of the first six games between the teams.
Laredo scored four runs in the top of the second on a pair of home runs. Abel Nieves singled and Devin Harris walked, leading to a three-run homer by Ty Morrison. On the next pitch, Jesus Posso hit a longball of his own off Joplin starter Josue Montanez, who wound up taking the loss for the Blasters.
A sacrifice fly in the top of the fourth extended the Laredo lead to 5-0. Morrison began the inning with a leadoff walk, and eventually scored on the sac fly from JD Pulfer.
The Blasters cut into the Laredo lead in the fourth and fifth innings, coming within one run before the Lemurs pulled away. In the fourth, Geraldo Valentin, Charlie Valerio and Willie Cabrera loaded the bases on a single, a double, and a walk respectively. Will Soto then drew a bases loaded walk for the first Joplin run. With the bases still loaded and no outs in the frame, Cory Morales hit into a double play that plated Valerio. A strikeout ended the fourth inning with Laredo leading 5-2.
In the bottom of the fifth, Zack Burling hit a leadoff single and stole second base, one of two steals during Thursday's game. He moved to third base, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Mitch Glasser. The Blasters loaded the bases again on a single, a walk, and a hit batsmen to Valentin, Valerio, and Cabrera. Valentin scored on a wild pitch, and Will Soto drew a walk to reload the bases. However, Valerio was caught trying to steal home after the Soto walk, and ended the inning with the Blasters trailing by a run.
Two more homers in the sixth helped the Lemurs pull away in the sixth. Posso hit a two-run shot for his second home run of the day, and Pulfer added a solo homer to give the Lemurs an 8-4 advantage through six innings.
Laredo put the game away in the top of the seventh with five more runs, led by a two-run single from Alvaro Rondon. Harris concluded the scoring with a deep homer off relief pitcher Axel Johnson in the top of the eighth. Jose Nivar pitched two innings, and earned the win for the Lemurs.
After dropping the series to the Lemurs, the Blasters welcome to the Sioux Falls Canaries to Joe Becker Stadium for a three game series. The opener is set for 6:35 p.m., and Carlos Fuentes will make the start for Joplin.
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