De La Cruz, Polston, and Gomez Lead Blasters to Win in Texas
Published on August 13, 2016 under American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release
The Joplin Blasters, backed by a great start from Alex De La Cruz and timely hitting, won their second consecutive game over the Texas AirHogs, 4-2, at AirHogs Stadium on Saturday night. The win moved the Blasters into third place in the division for the first time in over a month, and clinched no worse than a series split.
Texas scored first on Saturday night, plating their sole run against De La Cruz in the bottom of the second. Nick Akins hit a one-out single, and wound up on third base after an errant pickoff throw and a wild pitch. With two outs, Cody Lenahan drove in Akins with a single, giving the AirHogs an initial 1-0 lead.
The Blasters quickly responded with a run in the top of the third inning to tie the game. Alex Polston doubled with one out, and proceeded to score on an RBI single by Will Soto.
De La Cruz allowed nothing more after the unearned run in the second inning, posting his best outing of the season. The Puerto Rican righthander pitched seven innings without allowing an earned run, and struck out seven hitters without surrendering a walk. He earned his second win of the season, and has allowed only one earned run in his last 15 innings on the mound.
Joplin took the lead for good in the top of the sixth inning. The first hitter of the frame, Edwin Gomez, clubbed a triple into the right-center field gap. Just two pitches later, Gomez crossed the plate on a Brandon Tierney single through the middle of the infield. Although the Blasters left a runner on first and third, the visitors had procured a 2-1 lead.
A major defensive play helped the Blasters keep the one run lead intact in the bottom of the sixth. Juan Sanchez stood on third base after a hit by pitch, an error, and a groundout. On a De La Cruz pitch that was in the dirt, Sanchez strayed too far from the bag and was thrown out at third by catcher Conor Sullivan.
The Blasters added to the lead in the top of the seventh inning with a pair of runs. Polston, who had three hits and reached in all four of his plate appearances, singled and was moved to second on a Soto sacrifice bunt. Geraldo Valentin drove in his 50th run of the season with a single, and scored himself on Gomez's third hit of the game, another single.
Trailing 4-1, the AirHogs threatened for the final time in the bottom of the ninth inning. Brian Bistagne led off with a single, and stole both second and third base. Bistagne scored on an infield single by Devon Rodriguez, and a walk to Akins put the tying run on base. Keith Picht earned his first save of the season by getting both Cory Morales and Lenahan to fly out to center field.
After the 4-2 victory, the Blasters can win the series with a win in the series finale on Sunday. Luis Gonzalez takes the mound for the Blasters for the 2:05 ballgame, and is opposed by Carlos Misell.
American Association Stories from August 13, 2016
- Blasters Down AirHogs 4-2 in Game 3 - Texas AirHogs
- Behind Another Scoreless Performance by Dan Johnson, Saints Top Canaries 3-1 - St. Paul Saints
- RailCats Outhit RedHawks But Lose 7-2 - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- De La Cruz, Polston, and Gomez Lead Blasters to Win in Texas - Joplin Blasters
- Jon Smith the Hero with Walk-Off Blast - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Sound Effort Leads Goldeyes Past Wichita - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Former Augie Standout Patrick Fiala Collects First Pro Hit and Rbi In - Sioux Falls Canaries
- X's Fall On Pinch Hit Walk-Off Home Run - Sioux City Explorers
- Wingnuts Fall Again to Goldeyes - Wichita Wingnuts
- Wingnuts Game Notes: August 13 at Winnipeg - Wichita Wingnuts
- Dominant All-Around Performance Guides Blasters to 7-1 Win - Joplin Blasters
- Joplin Scores 6 Runs in 3rd to Take Game 2 - Texas AirHogs
- Robert Coe Stands Alone, Becomes Winningest Pitcher in Saints History in 6-3 Victory - St. Paul Saints
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