Blasters Drop Series Opener in Sioux City
July 19, 2016 - American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release
The Joplin Blasters dropped the opening contest of a three-game series against the Sioux City Explorers on Tuesday night, falling 10-2 at Lewis and Clark Park. It was the Blasters' first ever visit to western Iowa, and the first of six meetings between the two teams.
It only took two pitches for the Blasters to strike first in Tuesday's contest. Leadoff hitter Sean Smith belted his third home run in 12 games on the roster, a solo shot to left field. Smith's home run against starter Cody Forsythe gave Joplin an early 1-0 lead.
That 1-0 advantage would disappear in the bottom of the first inning. Consecutive two-out singles by Nate Samson and Tommy Mendonca put two runners on, and a double steal pushed the first run across when the throw down to second was off target, allowing Samson to cross the plate.
The Explorers took the lead for good in the bottom of the second, scoring again with two outs. With one out, Ralph Henriquez walked and Ino Patron singled, and a wild pitch put both men in scoring position with two outs. Sioux City took the lead on an RBI single by Derrick Robinson. Joplin starter Carlos Fuentes then struck out Michael Lang to strand runners on the corners.
Sioux City broke the game open in the bottom of third, plating three more runs to take a 5-1 lead. The inning began with Nate Samson hitting his fourth home run of the season, a solo homer to left field. The next four Explorer hitters also reached on two singles, a double, and a walk. Runs were driven in by Jarek Cunningham and Tim Colwell.
Fuentes and Forsythe traded three scoreless innings from the fourth to the sixth. Forsythe allowed just one run on two hits and earned his fifth victory, while Fuentes was charged with his third loss in his longest outing of the season.
A pair of runs crossed for Sioux City in the bottom of the seventh inning, extending the Explorer lead to six runs. Cunningham hit a leadoff single, which led to Fuentes exiting the game for former Major Leaguer Alberto Castillo. Colwell and Henriquez recorded back-to-back singles, scoring Cunningham, and Patron drove in Colwell on a fielder's choice.
In the bottom of the eighth, Sioux City scored their final three runs of the ballgame, which saw the Explorers move back to .500 at 28-28. Mendonca drove in two of runs on a double down the right field line, and Cunningham concluded the scoring with an RBI single that plated Mendonca.
Geraldo Valentin extended his hitting streak to 12 games in the top of the ninth by crushing a home run, his seventh of the season, over the left field wall. Both of Joplin's runs in the series opener were provided by the longball.
The Blasters will look to even the series on Wednesday night in the second game between the teams at Lewis and Clark Park. Joplin will send Wander Perez to the mound for his second start. First pitch from Sioux City is set for 7:00 p.m.
• Discuss this story on the American Association message board...
American Association Stories from July 19, 2016
- Blasters Drop Series Opener in Sioux City - Joplin Blasters
- Goldeyes Beat Saints, Move into Tie for Wild Card - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Clutch Play from Gonzalez Leads RailCats to Victory - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Canaries Snap Losing Streak in 5-4 Walk-Off - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Wingnuts Stretch Streak to Five Straight - Wichita Wingnuts
- Wiley Wills T-Bones to Win at Haymarket - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Saints Get One Hit in 7-1 Loss to Goldeyes - St. Paul Saints
- Huge Performance By Explorers Ball Club In Victory Over Joplin - Sioux City Explorers
- Canaries Dismiss Manager Chris Paterson - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Wingnuts Wingnuts Trio Selected to All-Star Game - Wichita Wingnuts
- Reynolds, Bistagne Named to South Division All-Star Team - Texas AirHogs
- South All-Stars Led by Seven from Defending Champion Laredo Lemurs - St. Paul Saints
- 'Dogs Blank Laredo Again to Win Weekend Series - Lincoln Saltdogs
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.
