Blasters Unable to Overcome Early Deficit in 5-3 Loss
June 12, 2016 - American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release
The Joplin Blasters could not overcome an early deficit, and lost to the Kansas City T-Bones 5-3 on Sunday afternoon at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. The T-Bones scored the first four runs of the game in the opening two innings, building a lead the Blasters could not overcome.
Kansas City started the early surge with a run in the bottom of the first inning. Starlin Rodriguez began the frame by being hit by a pitch, and followed by stealing second base. Rodriguez scored on a double from Tyler Massey, giving the T-Bones a 1-0 lead in the first.
A three-run second inning provided the difference in the game for Kansas City, and started with a one-out single by Brandon Tierney. Tierney stole second base before Brett Wiley hit his second home run of the season, a two-run shot to right field that pushed the T-Bones' lead to 3-0. After Blaster starter Carlos Fuentes retired the ninth hitter in the Kansas City order, three consecutive singles from Rodriguez, Nate Tenbrink, and Massey drove in another run.
Joplin cut the T-Bones' lead in half in the top of the third inning. Oscar Mesa and Mitch Glasser both drew walks to start the inning, and Mesa scored when Charlie Valerio hit a ground rule double over the right field wall. Glasser subsequently scored from third on an RBI groundout by Willie Cabrera, the 26th RBI of the season for the veteran.
The T-Bones concluded their half of the scoring in the bottom of the fourth. Tenbrink walked against relief pitcher Josue Montanez, and eventually crossed the plate on a wild pitch for the fifth Kansas City run.
With the score 5-2, the Blasters bullpen was able to keep the T-Bones off the board for the remainer of the game. Montanez, Keith Picht, and Victor Capellan combined to allow just one hit in the final four innings of the contest, surrendering just three total baserunners.
The Blasters attempted to rally in the top of the ninth, scoring a run and bringing the tying run to the plate. Pinch hitter Ronnie Richardson drew a walk, extending his on base streak to 13 games. After the next two hitters were put out, Mitch Glasser hit safely for the eighth consecutive game, doubling into left center field to drive in Richardson. Glasser's RBI double brought the tying run to the plate, but a flyout to left field ended the game.
Carlos Fuentes suffered his first loss of the season, while Kansas City righty Sean Furney moved to 3-1. The Blasters and T-Bones will play the final game of their four-game series on Monday night back at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. First pitch of the finale is set for 7:05 p.m.
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