Blasters Playoff Hopes Dwindle in Loss at Sioux Falls
September 6, 2015 - American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release
Sioux Falls, SD-The Blasters playoff chances were dented significantly with a 4-2 series-opening loss to the Canaries at Sioux Falls Stadium Saturday night.
Joplin (54-44) still sits one game back of wild-card leading Laredo, but the Lemurs magic number to clinch the wild-card spot dropped to one. Laredo lost its game at home to Sioux City Saturday.
Sioux Falls (38-59) improved to 8-5 in its last 13 games. The Canaries opened the scoring in the first. Chris Grayson walked in the leadoff spot. Jason Repko was hit by a pitch. Jerome Pena walked to load the bases. With two outs, R.J. Perucki walked to plate Grayson from third.
The Canaries boosted their lead with single runs in each of the third and fourth innings. Jerome Pena led off the bottom of the third with a double to the wall in left. David Bergin singled home Pena for a 2-0 lead. In the fourth, Richard Stock doubled to the wall in left as well. With two outs, Chris Grayson singled to left and scored Stock for a 3-0 advantage. Sioux Falls added one more mark in the seventh for a 4-0 cushion.
Joplin used a ninth-inning rally to cut the deficit in half but drew no closer. Maikol Gonzalez, Oscar Mesa, and Jairo Perez all walked. Matt Padgett then bounced a slow-roller up the middle behind the mound that resulted in a throwing error to second. The error allowed Gonzalez and Mesa to race home for the Blasters only runs of the night.
Stephen Bougher posted the win for Sioux Falls. Bougher (6-5) worked six scoreless innings and scattered just four hits with one strikeout and four walks. Sam Agnew-Wieland suffered the loss for Joplin. Agnew-Wieland (3-4) went five innings and gave up three runs (two earned) on six hits with three strikeouts and five walks. Chase Johnson recorded the final out in the ninth to earn his 15th save. Johnson struck out one and walked one.
Sioux Falls outhit Joplin 8-to-6. Chris Grayson and Richard Stock each collected two hits. David Bergin drove in two. Matt Padgett had the only two-hit night for the Blasters. Joplin stranded 12 base runners in defeat.
Joplin plays game two of its final three-game series Sunday afternoon in Sioux Falls against the Canaries. First pitch at The Birdcage is scheduled for 4:05. For 2016 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 September 6, 2015
- Thunder Rolls as 'Hawks Walk-Off 5-4 vs. Amarillo - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Birds Blow Late Lead in 6-4 Loss to Blasters on Sunday Night - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Blasters Level Series in Sioux Falls, Playoff Hopes End - Joplin Blasters
- American Association Game Recaps - AA
- Double Win Sunday for Goldeyes - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Saints Get Second Walk-Off in Three Days, Phillips Wins It with Single in Ninth 3-2 - St. Paul Saints
- The RailCats Shut out Kansas City in a Complete Effort - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Fish Walk Off, Then Fan 11 to Take 2 - Lincoln Saltdogs
- American Association Game Recaps - AA
- Early Runs Allow AirHogs to Snap Skid - Wichita Wingnuts
- American Association Game Recaps - AA
- 'Hawks Steal Amarillo's Thunder with 2-1 Win - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Goldeyes Force Extras, But Suspended by Rain - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Wingnuts Win Fifth Straight Division Title with Record-Breaking Performance - Wichita Wingnuts
- Saints Have Seven Game Win Streak Snapped - St. Paul Saints
- Blasters Playoff Hopes Dwindle in Loss at Sioux Falls - Joplin Blasters
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
