Blasters Walk off in Opener, Split DH with Saints
June 2, 2016 - American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release
The Joplin Blasters earned a doubleheader split with the St. Paul Saints on Thursday night at Joe Becker Stadium, claiming a dramatic 4-3 victory before dropping a 5-3 decision in the nightcap. The split gave St. Paul the series victory, as the Saints took three of the four games from the Blasters.
Thursday's opening game began with a run from the visitors. Alonzo Harris led off the game with a single, and proceeded to steal second base. Breland Almadova followed with an RBI single, giving St. Paul an early 1-0 lead. A double play ball induced by the Blasters kept the Saints off the board in the remainder of the inning.
St. Paul extended their lead to 2-0 in the top of the third inning. A walk to Maxx Garrett and singles by Harris and Almadova loaded the bases with no outs. The Blasters were able to turn another double play off the bat of Harris, which allowed Garrett to score the second run.
The Blasters answered with a run in the bottom of the third. Zack Burling drew a leadoff walk, and advanced to second base on a free pass to Geraldo Valentin. Willie Cabrera then drove in his 16th run of the season on a single that plated Burling. Cabrera's RBI hit pulled the Blasters to within 2-1.
A solo home run from Tony Thomas, his fourth of the season, pushed the Saint lead back to two runs in the top of the sixth inning.
Despite surrendering three runs, new signee Ryan Calby posted a quality start for the Blasters. The lefty tossed six innings with three strikeouts in his first American Association outing.
Two Joplin runs crossed the plate in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game at three. With one out in the frame, Aaron Brill singled and Jake Taylor walked to put runners on first and second. Cory Morales then marked his birthday with an RBI single that scored Brill and kept runners on first and second. The next hitter, Juan Medina, hit a grounder to short that retired Morales, but the throw to first bounced away from the fielder and allowed Taylor to score and even the game.
After a scoreless top half from Matt Parish, Burling singled to lead off the bottom of the seventh inning. After a sacrifice bunt from Mitch Glasser, Valentin and Cabrera walked to load the bases. Brill then ended the game when a bouncer to short was misplayed, driving in the winning run.
The second game started quickly for the Saints, who scored three runs on back-to-back-to-back home runs. Hanson, Angelo Songco, and Thomas each hit homers for St. Paul, who held a 3-0 lead after a half inning.
The Saints pushed the lead to 4-0 in the top of the fourth. Willie Argo's leadoff single turned into a run after Brady Burzynski put down a sacrifice bunt and Sam Maus recorded the RBI on a single.
Joplin attempted to rally in the bottom of the fifth with three runs. Morales reached on a dropped third strike, and moved to second on a walk to Taylor. Both Blasters scored when Burling crushed a three-run homer to left, his first professional home run.
Maus tacked on an insurance run for the Saints in the top of the sixth, clubbing an RBI double to plate Songo, who had led off the inning with a single. Ryan Rodebaugh came on for the seventh, and earned his fifth save.
Alec Crawford was the winning pitcher for St. Paul, while Jake Negrete took the loss for Joplin despite a solid first start.
Beginning Friday, the Blasters welcome the Texas AirHogs to Joe Becker Stadium. First pitch of Friday's series opener is set for 6:35 p.m. and will feature Blaster RHP Keith Picht facing Texas RHP Matt Shepherd.
American Association Stories from June 2, 2016
- 'Nuts Smash Lemurs; Split Series - Wichita Wingnuts
- AirHogs, Saltdogs Split Series in Lincoln - Texas AirHogs
- Blasters Walk off in Opener, Split DH with Saints - Joplin Blasters
- Saints Go Back-To-Back-To-Back to Win Game Two of Doubleheader 5-3 - St. Paul Saints
- Caughel, Leveret Lead 'Dogs to Series Split - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Saints Give up Lead Late Lose 4-3 in Game One of Douleheader - St. Paul Saints
- Canaries Draw Split on Goldeyes - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Prrrfect Event, Saints and MyTalk 107.1 Hosting Cat Video Festival at CHS Field August 9 - St. Paul Saints
- American Association Game Recap - AA
- Wingnuts Game Notes: June 2 vs. Laredo - Wichita Wingnuts
- Offense Sputters in 4-3 Loss to T-Bones - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Canaries Offense Stalls in 3-2 Loss on Wednesday Night - Sioux Falls Canaries
- St. Paul Claims Doubleheader Victories over Blasters - Joplin Blasters
- Pitching and Defence Lift Goldeyes - Winnipeg Goldeyes
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