Blasters Fall to Wichita as Wingnuts Clinch Division
September 1, 2016 - American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release
The Joplin Blasters lost a third consecutive game to the Wichita Wingnuts on Wednesday night, which allowed the Wingnuts to clinch the American Association South Division. Wichita has not missed the Association playoffs since 2010, and have won the South Division in each of the three seasons they have been in the division.
Wichita never trailed in the contest, scoring twice in the bottom of the second. Matt Chavez bounced a ground-rule double over the center field wall, and Nick van Stratten followed with a single. Harrison Kain singled to start the scoring, and a two-out single from Leo Vargas pushed a second run across for the Wingnuts.
The Blasters struck back with a run in the top of the third. Sergio Leon and Mitch Glasser each hit two-out singles, and Geraldo Valentin put the Blasters on the board with an RBI single. Mitch Glasser was caught between second and third, but the run pulled the Blasters within one at 2-1.
Joplin tied the game in the next inning, nearly taking the lead. Conor Sullivan singled to lead off the inning, and Alex Polston drew a walk. A passed ball put the runners on second and third, and Mitch Glasser singled to score Sullivan from third. Polston was barely thrown out at the plate, keeping the Blasters from taking the lead.
A pair of runs helped the Wingnuts take the lead for good in the bottom of the fifth. Martin Medina and Leo Vargas hit consecutive singles to begin the inning, and the pair scored on an RBI groundout from Zack Cox and a double from Brent Clevlen.
Leading 4-2, the Wingnuts added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth. Chavez continued to terrorize the Blasters with a solo home run on the first pitch of the frame. A pair of fielder's choices gave Wichita their sixth run of the game, scoring Nick van Stratten after his single.
Both teams scored in the seventh inning to account for the final three runs of the game. In the top half, a trio of singles from Axel Johnson, Sergio Leon and Glasser loaded the bases. Valentin drove in Johnson with an RBI groundout, his second RBI of the game. Chavez hit his second homer of the game in the bottom of the seventh, a two-run shot. Glasser led the Joplin offense with three hits, while Leon added two singles.
Wichita starter Tyler Kane earned the victory, while Harrison Lee was charged with the loss. Bobby Orozco pitched well out of the bullpen for the Blasters, tossing 1.1 scoreless innings.
The series finale between the Blasters and Wingnuts, which also serves as the Wingnuts' home finale before the playoffs, is set for 7:05 p.m. at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Santos Arias will make his final start of the season for the Blasters, and faces Wichita's Tim Brown.
American Association Stories from September 1, 2016
- Wichita Sweeps Blasters with 3-1 Victory - Joplin Blasters
- Saints Walk-Off into the Playoffs, Defeat Winnipeg 1-0 to Clinch Playoff Berth - St. Paul Saints
- Six-Run Inning Carries Canaries to Series Sweep of RailCats - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Johns Belts Two-Run Walk-Off Homer to Get the Victory - Sioux City Explorers
- Canaries Wrap up Home Schedule with 9-4 Win over the RailCats - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Wingnuts Game Recap: Wingnuts Complete Sweep of Blasters - Wichita Wingnuts
- Wingnuts Game Notes: September 1 vs. Joplin - Wichita Wingnuts
- Wingnuts Chavez Named Player of the Month - Wichita Wingnuts
- Saints Celebrate the End of Summer - St. Paul Saints
- Misell, Rodriguez Star But AirHogs Drop Game 3 - Texas AirHogs
- Fish Come Back to Win on Record-Breaking Night - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Saints Lose Late Lead to Goldeyes, Fall 3-2 - St. Paul Saints
- Blasters Fall to Wichita as Wingnuts Clinch Division - Joplin Blasters
- X's Down 'Dogs to Pull Back into First Place Tie - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Monger Picks up Three RBIs in Can - Sioux Falls Canaries
- RailCats Can't Complete Comeback, Lose 4-3 to Cana - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Wichita Clinches South Division Title - Wichita Wingnuts
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