AA Joplin Blasters

Blasters Fall Twice to Amarillo

Published on July 15, 2015 under American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release


Joplin, MO-The Blasters have dropped into second place in the South Division for the first time since June 14th with a 7-5 loss to the Amarillo Thunderheads Wednesday night at Joe Becker Stadium.

Joplin (27-21) also lost a suspended game that was resumed prior to the regularly scheduled game, and now has its longest losing streak of the season at four. Amarillo (25-26) won that contest 5-4 on a walk-off, bottom of the seventh base hit by Tyler Urps. The Blasters started the nightcap with a bang in the first. Oscar Mesa reached on an infield single. With two outs, Carlos Ramirez crushed his eighth home run of the season deep to left into the back of the bullpen for a 2-0 lead.

After a scoreless second, Amarillo grabbed the lead in the third. Back-to-back, one-out singles by Taylor Smart and Logan Vick preceded a three-run home run to left off the bat of Juan Martinez. Martinez's second dinger of the season gave the Thunderheads a 3-2 lead. Joplin replied with a two-spot in the bottom of the third to take a 4-3 advantage. Oscar Mesa led off with a walk. Mitch Glasser then singled to center on a liner. With one out, Jake Taylor doubled to left to tie it as Mesa scored. Glasser scored the go-ahead run on a fielder's choice by Omar Luna.

In the fourth, Amarillo scratched a run across to level it. Tyler Urps reached on an infield single and then scored on a Corey Bass RBI double. In the fifth, Joplin reclaimed the lead again. Carlos Ramirez doubled to lead off the inning. Jake Taylor followed with a single to left. Ramirez scored for a 5-4 lead on another Omar Luna fielder's choice.

Amarillo kept the pressure on with the tying run in the sixth. Jason Martin led off with a double off the fence in left field. He later scored on a throwing error following a fielder's choice from Corey Bass. The Thunderheads plated two runs in the seventh to seize the lead for good. Geraldo Valentin walked to start the rally. Juan Martinez singled to left. Rene Leveret's one-out line drive single to left-center scored Valentin for a 6-5 lead. A balk with runners at first and third gave Amarillo its final run of the night.

On the mound, Leyson Septimo secured the win in relief for the Thunderheads. Septimo (1-1) pitched two innings and scattered four hits with no strikeouts and one walk. Jesus Colome took the loss for Joplin. Colome (0-2) worked one inning and allowed two earned runs on two hits with three strikeouts and one walk. Randy Hamrick notched his eighth save of the season as he yielded one hit with one strikeout in the ninth.

Joplin outhit Amarillo 14-11 to tie the team's single-game high for hits. The Blasters stranded 11 men on base. Jake Taylor went 4-for-5 in defeat with one RBI. Carlos Ramirez finished 3-for-5 with the homer, a double, and two RBIs. Oscar Mesa collected three hits and two runs. For the Thunderheads, Juan Martinez went 3-for-5 with the homer, two singles, and three RBIs. Stefan Gartrell also had two hits and Corey Bass drove in two.

Joplin continues its home series against Amarillo with a doubleheader Thursday night. Tomorrow features two, seven-inning games that start at 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.

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American Association Stories from July 15, 2015


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