Blasters Offense Silenced by SouthShore
August 4, 2015 - American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release
Joplin, MO-The Blasters managed just five hits against Gary SouthShore pitching and fell 12-1 in game three of a four-game series Monday night at Joe Becker Stadium.
Joplin (36-29) failed to gain ground on first-place Wichita in the South Division after the Wingnuts lost at Ottawa. The Blasters also dropped one game behind Kansas City for the wild-card lead after a T-Bones win at Winnipeg.
Gary (31-36) scored first for the third time in the series with a single run in the first inning. Drew Martinez smacked a double into the left-center field gap and later scored on a two-out single to left by Brandon Thomas. The RailCats slim lead held up until the fifth when Jake Taylor tied it for Joplin with a lead-off solo home run high and deep to left. It was Taylor's team-high tying ninth homer of the season.
SouthShore quickly reclaimed the lead in a big way in the top of the sixth. Brandon Thomas was hit by a pitch leading off the inning. Adam Taylor then reached on a ground ball error at first, placing runners at the corners. Following a Roger Bernal bunt fly out in foul territory, Michael Vaughn doubled to the gap in left for a 3-1 RailCats lead. After a Joplin pitching change, Alex Hernandez cracked his second home run of the series to deep left for a 5-1 cushion. Gary put the game out of reach with a six-run seventh. The inning was highlighted by an Adam Taylor bases-loaded double up the right field line that scored all three.
Gary left-hander Rene Solis earned the win on the mound. Solis (2-6) went six innings and gave up one earned run on just four hits with three strikeouts and three walks. Josue Montanez suffered the loss for the Blasters. Montanez worked five-and-a-third and allowed four runs (two earned) on seven hits with four strikeouts and one walk.
The RailCats banged out 15 hits on the night. Alex Hernandez went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs. Drew Martinez had three hits with one RBI and a run. Jose Sermo and Michael Vaughn each had two hits. Sermo scored twice while Vaughn drove in two and scored two runs. Adam Taylor had three RBIs and two runs. For Joplin, Maikol Gonzalez posted two hits to extend his hitting streak to nine.
Joplin's seven-game home stand wraps up Tuesday night with game 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 4, 2015
- Wingnuts Break Late Tie and Hang on to Win Series - Wichita Wingnuts
- Blasters Series Finale with Gary SouthShore Suspended - Joplin Blasters
- Saints Ask for Your Soles During a Homestand Fit for a King from August 5-10 at CHS Field - St. Paul Saints
- Canaries Announce Schedule Changes - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Solis Dominates While the Offense Stays Hot in a 12-1 RailCats Win over Joplin - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Ottawa Starter Strikes out 10 as Wingnuts Fall 6-1 - Wichita Wingnuts
- Bougher Tosses Six Shutout Innings in 3-2 Win over Laredo - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Blasters Offense Silenced by SouthShore - Joplin Blasters
- Penprase Homers Twice, 'Hawks Routed 15-4 - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
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