Blasters Surge to Series Victory in Kansas City
August 7, 2015 - American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release
Kansas City, KS-The Blasters moved into a tie for the wild card lead with a dramatic 5-3 extra-inning victory over the T-Bones Friday night at Community America Ballpark.
With the win, Joplin (39-31) also moved within three games of South Division leading Wichita following the Wingnuts loss in extras at Quebec. The Blasters took the series in Kansas City 3-games-to-2 and leads the season series with the T-Bones 4-games-to-2.
After three straight scoreless innings to start the contest, both teams broke out the bats in the fourth. Maikol Gonzalez started a two-out rally in the top of the inning with an infield single in the hole at short. The next batter, Jairo Perez, uncorked a two-run home run high and deep to left for a 2-0 Blasters lead. It was Perez's third dinger of the series and his fourth of the season. Kansas City leveled the game in the bottom of the inning with a two-run home run to deep right by Adam Bailey. Nate Tenbrink had led off the inning with a single. It was Bailey's 10th homer of the season.
In the fifth, Joplin inched ahead with a two-out RBI infield single from Oscar Mesa that scored Omar Luna from third. Luna reached earlier with a base hit to left. The T-Bones pushed across the equalizer in the bottom of the fifth after Alex Marquez doubled into the left field corner. Marquez later scored on an RBI single to left by Robby Kuzdale.
The two teams were held scoreless again from the sixth through the ninth innings. In the tenth, Joplin seized control with a two-run frame. Steven Tinoco reached on a throwing error by the first baseman. Maikol Gonzalez then gave the Blasters a 4-3 lead as he crushed a double into the gap in left-center. Jairo Perez then capped it with a base knock into the left field corner that scored Gonzalez for the game's final margin. It was Perez's 10th RBI of the series against his former team.
On the mound, Winston Abreu posted the win for Joplin. Abreua (3-1) worked the final two innings of the game and gave up just one hit with five strikeouts. He struck out the side in the tenth to end the night. Fernando Hernandez suffered the loss for Kansas City. Hernandez (3-5) worked three innings and yielded two runs (one earned) on three hits with two strikeouts and no walks.
Joplin and Kansas City both had nine hits in the game. Jairo Perez went 3-for-5 with the homer and three RBIs. Maikol Gonzalez had two hits with an RBI. For the T-Bones, Adam Bailey homered with two singles and two RBIs. Alex Marquez finished 3-for-3 with two singles and a double. Kansas City committed two errors in the game.
Joplin has Saturday off before returning to the road with a two-game series at Wichita starting Sunday night. First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 p.m. 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 7, 2015
- American Association Game Recaps - AA
- Fish Lead Wire-To-Wire in Series Clincher - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- RedHawks Drop Series Finale 5-1, Swept by X's - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Blasters Take Series with Extra-Inning Win - Kansas City Monarchs
- Saints Score 7 in 1st, Cruise to Complete Sweep - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Blasters Surge to Series Victory in Kansas City - Joplin Blasters
- Saints Win Seventh Straight, Trim Magic Number to Nine with Sweep of Saltdogs in 9-2 Victory - St. Paul Saints
- 'Cats Drop Another Home Series as Fish Score Nine - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Explorers Sweep RedHawks and Win Tenth in a Row - Sioux City Explorers
- Walk-Off Sacrifice Fly Leads Capitales to 11-Inning Victory - Wichita Wingnuts
- Indians Sign Ortez From Laredo - Laredo Lemurs
- Blasters Add Tinoco Tuesdays Promotion - Joplin Blasters
- Wingnuts Surge to Thrilling 3-1 Victory over Quebec - Wichita Wingnuts
- Goldeyes Suffer Extra Innings Setback - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- RailCats Win Thursday Marathon in 13th over Goldeyes - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Blasters Sweep Double Dip in Kansas City - Joplin Blasters
- Birds' Ride Four-Run Seventh Inning to Pick up 8-3 Win in Grand Prairie - Sioux Falls Canaries
- American Association Game Recaps - AA
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.
