Blasters Erase Two Deficits to Derail 'Cats
August 2, 2015 - American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release
Joplin, MO-One night after the Blasters surrendered three home runs to Gary SouthShore, Joplin used two long balls of its own to help defeat the RailCats 8-7 on a wildly entertaining Sunday night at Joe Becker Stadium.
With the win, Joplin (36-28) remains tied for the wild-card lead after Kansas City won at Winnipeg earlier in the day. The Blasters are still 3.5 games behind Wichita for first in the South Division. After a scoreless first inning, Gary (30-36) took a second-inning lead with a single mark. Adam Taylor reached base on a one-out error at short. Taylor moved to third on a single to left by Roger Bernal. Alex Hernandez scored Taylor with a sacrifice fly to center for his fourth RBI of the series.
The RailCats kept the pressure on in the third with its fourth, three-run inning of the series. J.D. Pulfer singled to right and later stole second. Drew Martinez made it 2-0 with a base hit to left. Martinez then stole second. Following a ground out, Jaime Del Valle reached on a fielder's choice back to the pitcher. On the play, an errant throw to third brought in the second run of the inning. With two outs, Adam Taylor tripled to left-center and it was 4-0 Gary. The RailCats plated another single run in the fourth for a 5-0 cushion.
After Gary went to its bullpen in the fifth, Joplin found new life. Jesus Solorzano led off the inning with a single to left. Mitch Glasser smashed a one-out double off the fence in deep left near the line to put runners at second and third. With two outs, the Blasters finally dented the scoreboard on an RBI single off the shortstop by Maikol Gonzalez. With runners at the corners, Gonzalez stole second and Glasser raced home from third on the throw to second. Yasser Gomez made it 5-3 with an infield single to third. A throwing error on the play allowed Gomez to take second. The Blasters then broke even as the very next batter, Jairo Perez, launched his first home run to deep left-center for a 5-5 tie.
Joplin took the lead in the sixth. Jesus Solorzano continued his hot streak at the plate with a one-out triple to the gap in left. With the infield playing in, Carlos Ramirez punched a single up the middle into center that scored Solorzano for a 6-5 advantage.
Both teams were quiet in the seventh before a frenetic eighth inning decided the game. Leading off for Gary in the top half, Jose Sermo doubled to the fence in center. The next batter, Adam Taylor, shelled a two-run home run to deep right-center for a 7-6 lead. In the home half, Jairo Perez lined a lead-off single to right for Joplin. Two outs later, Jesus Solorzano belted a go-ahead, two-run home run to deep center that catapulted the Blasters to victory.
On the mound, Joplin reliever Victor Capellan posted the win despite giving up the lead in the eighth. Capellan (5-2) worked two innings and gave up two earned runs on two hits with three strikeouts and no walks. Chris Bodishbaugh took the loss for Gary. Bodishbaugh (1-1) pitched the eighth inning and allowed two earned runs on two hits. Winston Abreu notched his 12th save of the season with a 1-2-3 ninth that included two strikeouts.
The RailCats outhit the Blasters 12-to-11. Jesus Solorzano led the charge for Joplin with three hits, two RBIs, and three runs scored. Solorzano fell a double shy of hitting for the cycle. Jairo Perez went 2-for-4 with the homer, two RBIs, and two runs. Mitch Glasser also had two hits with a run. For Gary, Adam Taylor finished 3-for-4 with the homer, three RBIs, and two runs. Taylor was a single shy of the cycle. Drew Martinez collected three hits and J.D. Pulfer posted a two-hit night. Martinez and Pulfer each had an RBI with a run scored. The Blasters made three errors for a second straight game. Gary committed two. Joplin's seven-game home stand continues Monday night with game three of four against Gary SouthShore. First pitch is set for 7:05. 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 2, 2015
- 5-0 Lead Not Enough as Joplin Scores Eight on Gary Bullpen in 8-7 Win - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Blasters Erase Two Deficits to Derail 'Cats - Joplin Blasters
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- American Association Game Recaps - AA
- Carl Stands out in Debut, But Winning Streak Ends - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Wingnuts Survive Late Scare, Beat Ottawa 5-3 - Wichita Wingnuts
- T-Bones Win Wildly in Canada - Kansas City Monarchs
- Humphries Named American Association's Rawlings Player of the Month - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Goldeyes Bring in Carl, Release Cowgill - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Huge July Lands Hernandez Pitcher of the Month Honours - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Rosario and Three Homeruns Help the RailCats Blast Joplin 10-1 - Gary SouthShore Railcats
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