Blasters Early Offense Leads to Series-Opening Victory
Published on August 28, 2015 under American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release
Joplin, MO-The Blasters slugged Grand Prairie early and often to claim their second straight win with an 8-2 victory Thursday night at Joe Becker Stadium.
Joplin (48-42) is now 3-1 in its final home stand of the inaugural 2015 season. The Blasters have taken seven of nine in the season series with the AirHogs. Grand Prairie (28-62) has lost seven straight. With a Laredo win at Amarillo, Joplin remains two games back of the wild-card leading Lemurs with ten games left.
The Blasters wasted no time in gaining the advantage. Maikol Gonzalez led off the bottom of the first with a walk. Oscar Mesa followed with a double to the gap in right-center that scored Gonzalez all the way from first. After Jairo Perez walked, Matt Padgett drove in Mesa with a bloop single into center. Omar Luna made it 3-0 with a line-drive sacrifice to right that scored Perez from third.
After Grand Prairie plated a single run in the top of the second, Joplin increased its lead in the bottom of the inning. Oscar Mesa reached with a one-out walk. With two outs, Matt Padgett clubbed his second home-run in as many nights deep to the bleachers in left-center. It was Padgett's seventh dinger of the season.
The Blasters closed out their scoring night with another crooked number in the third. Aaron Brill walked with one out and then stole second. With two outs, Oscar Mesa reached on a throwing error by the shortstop that allowed Brill to race home. After Mesa stole second, Jairo Perez launched his fifth home run of the season on a line-drive that cleared the fence in left and gave Joplin an 8-1 lead. Grand Prairie made it 8-2 in the sixth with a solo home run to deep right by Victor Diaz.
On the mound, Josh Evans had a strong start and set Joplin's new single-game high for strikeouts. Evans (2-1) worked seven innings and gave up two earned runs on six hits with ten strikeouts and two walks. T.J. Bozeman took the loss for the AirHogs. Bozeman (2-11) lasted just four innings and yielded eight runs (five earned) on eight hits with five strikeouts and five walks. He surrendered both of the Blasters home runs.
At the plate, Joplin outhit Grand Prairie 11-to-6. Matt Padgett led the Blasters offensive attack with a 4-for-5 night, three RBIs, and a run scored. Padgett fell a triple shy of hitting for the cycle. Jairo Perez collected two hits with two RBIs and two runs scored. Carlos Ramirez went 3-for-4 and Oscar Mesa scored three times. For the AirHogs, Ridge Hoopii-Haslam finished 2-for-3.
Joplin faces Grand Prairie in game two of its final home series of the season Friday night. First pitch is set for 7:05 with fireworks immediately following the game. 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 28, 2015
- X's Outscore Wichita 21-1 In The Two Game Doubleheader - Sioux City Explorers
- Blasters Strike Down AirHogs - Joplin Blasters
- Patrick Johnson Goes Distance To Get 14th Win - Sioux City Explorers
- Mural Celebrating Joplin's Baseball History to be Unveiled Sunday - Joplin Blasters
- Beatty Joins Wingnuts Rotation in Iowa - Wichita Wingnuts
- RedHawks Sign Tescher; Bonfe to I.L. - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Laredo Lemurs Sell Player Contract to Miami Marlins - Laredo Lemurs
- Canaries Hang on After 9th Inning Rain Delay - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Blasters Early Offense Leads to Series-Opening Victory - Joplin Blasters
- T-Bones Outlast Saints - Kansas City Monarchs
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