Blasters Fall to St. Paul in Tight Fit
Published on August 15, 2015 under American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release
Joplin, MO-The Blasters erased two, one-run deficits with solo home runs before eventually succumbing to St. Paul 3-2 Saturday night at Joe Becker Stadium.
Joplin (42-35) still leads the wild card race by a half-game over Kansas City. St. Paul (60-19) opened the scoring early in the contest with a single mark in the first. Willie Argo coaxed a one-out walk to reach base. Vinny DiFazio was hit by a pitch. Angelo Songco then smoked a line drive single to right that scored Argo.
The Blasters leveled the game in the bottom of the second. After two ground ball outs, Oscar Mesa muscled a solo home run deep to right field onto the grassy berm for a 1-1 tie. It was Mesa's third dinger of the season. There were four consecutive scoreless innings after that. St. Paul reclaimed the lead with a run in the seventh on an Alonzo Harris one-out, solo home run deep to left. In the bottom of the seventh, Joplin scored the equalizer on a solo home run blasted deep to left by Jesus Solorzano. It was Solorzano's ninth big fly of the season.
St. Paul plated the go-ahead run an inning later in the eighth. Joey Paciorek poked a one-out single to right. Steve Nikorak followed with a walk. With two outs and two strikes, Dan Kaczrowski singled on a grounder to right that barely cleared the infield and plated Paciorek for a 3-2 lead.
In relief, Michael Zouzalik posted the win for the Saints. Zouzalik (3-0) worked one-and-two-thirds and allowed one hit with one strikeout and one walk. Victor Capellan took the loss for Joplin. Capellan (5-3) pitched one inning and gave up one earned run on two hits with two strikeouts and one walk. Ryan Rodebaugh earned his league-leading 21st save of the season for St. Paul. Rodebaugh struck out one and walked one.
The Blasters outhit the Saints 8-to-6. Neither team had a batter with more than one hit. St. Paul committed a season-high four errors. Joplin pitchers struck out a season-high 17 Saints batters. Joplin starter Luis Chirinos fanned eight while reliever Leyson Septimo struck out six in just two innings. The previous staff high was 13 in a road game at Laredo July 20th.
Joplin's six-game home stand concludes Sunday night with game three against St. Paul. First pitch is set for 5:05. 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 15, 2015
- Blasters Fall to St. Paul in Tight Fit - Joplin Blasters
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- Wingnuts Sharp in All Three Facets, Knock off Laredo - Wichita Wingnuts
- Blasters Bounce St. Paul to End Losing Streak - Joplin Blasters
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