Blasters Fall in Opening Game of Homestand
June 29, 2016 - American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release
The Joplin Blasters returned home for the first time in over a week, and fell to the Laredo Lemurs 9-4 on Tuesday night at Joe Becker Stadium. It was the first game of a six game homestand for the Blasters that runs through the end of this week.
Laredo took the lead in the top of the first inning, and did not relinquish it throughout the contest. Drew Martinez started the game by reaching on an error, and the bases would be loaded on a fielder's choice from Zane Chavez and a hit by pitch to Dennis Phipps. JD Pulfer drove in the game's opening run on a groundout to short, scoring Martinez.
In the third inning, Martinez scored again to increase Laredo's lead to two runs. The leadoff hitter singled, one of four times he would reach base on the game. He moved to third base on two wild pitches, and scored on an RBI single by Cesar Valera. A double play ball would get the Blasters out of the inning trailing 2-0.
Leandro Castro clubbed a leadoff double to begin the fourth inning, which saw the Lemurs score another run. After Abel Nieves flew out, Jesus Posso drove in Castro with a single to give Laredo a 3-0 advantage.
The Lemurs loaded the bases in the top of the fifth inning with no outs on two walks and a single. Castro hit the second single of the inning to score Chavez, which forced the exit of eventual losing pitcher Josh Hodges. Nate Carter came in for the Blasters, and allowed just one run on a balk before retiring three consecutive hitters.
Joplin got on the board in the bottom of the fifth against winning pitcher Barret Loux. Trailing 5-0, Edwin Gomez hit a double to lead off the frame. A grounder to second by Cory Morales got him to third base, and the first professional RBI by Axel Johnson drove in the run when the MSSU product singled to right field.
Laredo put the game away in the top of the seventh, scoring four times to take an eight run lead. After the first two Lemurs of the inning were retired, seven straight hitters reached on four singles and three walks. Posso, Jimmy Morris, and Chavez drove in runs for the Lemurs during the frame.
Jason Zgardowski came on to conclude the seventh, and he worked 2.1 scoreless innings with five strikeouts against his former team.
A home run in the bottom of the seventh concluded the scoring. Sergio Leon blasted his first professional home run to left field, a three-run shot that scored Morales and Johnson, who had each singled earlier in the inning. Leon's homer provided the final 9-4 margin.
The middle game of the three game series will be played Wednesday at Joe Becker Stadium at 7:05 p.m. Noel Arguelles will make the start for the Blasters on Wacky Weenie Wednesday, where hot dogs will be 2-for-1.
During every game of the current homestand, fans will have the ability to purchase five dollar tickets, applicable in any section of the ballpark. Tickets can be purchased at the team box office.
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