Blasters Streak to Series Victory over Amarillo
July 19, 2015 - American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release
Joplin, MO-The Blasters stretched their winning streak to three with a series-clinching 11-9 victory over Amarillo Saturday night at Joe Becker Stadium.
Joplin (30-22) claimed three of five in the series and wrapped up its ten-game season series with a 5-5 mark against the Thunderheads. Amarillo (26-29) drew first blood with a single run in the first on a two-out solo home run to deep center off the bat of Juan Martinez. It was Martinez's fourth homer of the season and third in the series. The Blasters answered with a mark in the second. Carlos Ramirez led off the inning with a walk. Jake Taylor then doubled to extend his team-high hitting streak to 17 games. Ramirez scored to tie the game on a ground out to short by Omar Luna.
Joplin took its first lead of the night with a one-out, two-run home run to the bleachers in left by Maikol Gonzalez. Aaron Brill preceded Gonzalez with a sharp line drive single to right. The Blasters made it 4-1 with another run in the fourth. Omar Luna singled and Mitch Glasser doubled. Steven Tinoco then scored Luna with a sacrifice fly to right.
Amarillo kept coming with a big inning in the fifth. Logan Vick, Geraldo Valentin, and Juan Martinez all singled with one out. Stefan Gartrell drove in the first run with a base hit to right. Rene Leveret then clubbed a three-run home run to deep right-center for a 5-4 Thunderheads lead. After a pitching change, Jason Martin smacked a solo home run to right as well for a 6-4 advantage.
The Blasters had a highly productive reply in the bottom of the fifth. Following a fly out to start the inning, Carlos Ramirez walked. Jake Taylor singled. Omar Luna reached on an infield single that crawled up the dirt path at third. The lead was cut to one on a Mitch Glasser fielder's choice that scored Ramirez. Steven Tinoco leveled the game with a single to right-center. Aaron Brill then gave Joplin a 7-6 lead with a single up the middle. Tinoco later scored on a wild pitch. Maikol Gonzalez capped the inning as he launched his second, two-run home run of the night high and deep to left field for a 10-6 Joplin lead.
The Thunderheads cut the lead to 10-8 in the sixth. Tyler Urps led off with a solo home run to deep right. Logan Vick walked with one and later scored on a two-out double by Juan Martinez. Amarillo scored a single run in the seventh on a Christian Ibarra triple that made it 10-9. Joplin scratched across an insurance run in the eighth for the game's final margin.
Carlos Fuentes posted his first win out of the Blasters bullpen. Fuentes (1-0) worked one-and-two-thirds and gave up two runs (one earned) on three hits with two walks. Leyson Septimo took the loss for Amarillo. Septimo (1-2) pitched one-third of an inning and yielded one earned run on one hit (HR) with one strikeout. Winston Abreu earned his ninth save of the season as he recorded five strikeouts with two walks.
At the plate, Amarillo outhit Joplin 15-to-12. For the Blasters, Maikol Gonzalez went 3-for-5 with the two homers, four RBIs, and three runs scored. Jake Taylor, Omar Luna, and Aaron Brill all had two hit games. Brill scored twice. Steven Tinoco collected two RBIs. For the Thunderheads, Juan Martinez finished 5-for-5 with the homer, a double and three singles. He also had two RBIs and two runs. Geraldo Valentin and Jason Martin each had two hits. Amarillo stranded 11 base runners.
Joplin starts a new seven-game road trip to Texas with three at Laredo starting Monday night. First pitch at Uni-Trade Stadium is set for 7:30. 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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