Blasters End Homestand with Comeback Victory
August 19, 2016 - American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release
The Joplin Blasters broke a seven-game losing streak to the Lincoln Saltdogs on Thursday night, rallying for a 4-3 victory at Joe Becker Stadium. The Blasters scored the game's final four runs in the series finale, which also served as the last game in the eight game season series.
After three scoreless innings from starters Alex De La Cruz and Lindsey Caughel, Lincoln broke the ice with a run in the top of the fourth inning. An error allowed Curt Smith to reach first, and Luis Alen followed with a walk. Austin Darby drove in the opening run with a single, but De La Cruz stranded runners on the corners with a inning-ending groundout.
Brandon Jacobs continued to be a nuisance for the Blasters, hitting his third home run of the series in the top of the fifth. With Cesar Valera on first base, Jacobs extended the Lincoln lead to 3-0 with his third homer in as many games. It was ninth home run of the season for the Saltdog left fielder.
The Blasters finally got to Caughel in the bottom of the sixth inning, scoring two runs against the Association ERA leader. Mitch Glasser hit a leadoff single, and a flyout brought Edwin Gomez to the plate. Gomez nearly homered, but Jacobs reached over the left field fence and knocked the ball back into the field of play. Gomez wound up on second, and Glasser scored the first Joplin run. Gomez then scored on a single from Mark Krueger, who was pinch hitting for Will Soto.
Joplin tied the game in the bottom of the seventh. With two outs, Alex Polston hit an infield single and moved to second when the throw sailed out of play. The next hitter was Glasser, who doubled into left field. Polston scored to tie the game at three and chase Caughel from the contest.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, the Blasters got the game's biggest hit against relief pitcher Stephen Shackleford. Brandon Tierney and Krueger hit back-to-back singles, putting runners on first and third with two outs. Ermindo Escobar clubbed a 1-0 pitch into left field, scoring Tierney and giving the Blasters the 4-3 lead.
Roby Romero earned his first American Association victory with 1.1 innings on the mound, including a scoreless ninth inning. Shackleford was charged with his fourth loss of the season. Carlos Fuentes and Axel Johnson also contributed out of the bullpen for the Blasters.
Glasser, Gomez, and Krueger each had two hits for the Blasters in the victory. Seven of the ten Blasters that appeared at the plate had at least one hit. Valera supplied three of the six hits for the visiting Saltdogs, who will start a series in Sioux Falls on Friday.
The Blasters head on the road for a six game trip, beginning Friday at Uni-Trade Stadium in Laredo against the Laredo Lemurs. Lefty Luis Gonzalez takes the mound for the Blasters, with first pitch set for 7:05 pm in south Texas.
American Association Stories from August 19, 2016
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- Canaries Earn 2-1 Win Behind Thompson's Complete Game Victory - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Thompson Controls 'Dogs in Series Opener - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Explorers Explode For Sixteen Runs Against Goldeyes - Sioux City Explorers
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- Wingnuts Game Notes: August 19 at Gary - Wichita Wingnuts
- Knot Your Average Homestand: Saints Mix Politics, Day Baseball and Music During Three Game Homestand - St. Paul Saints
- Blasters End Homestand with Comeback Victory - Joplin Blasters
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