Del Valle, Homers Lead Blasters to Win
Published on June 18, 2016 under American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release
The Joplin Blasters evened their weekend series with the Sioux Falls Canaries on Saturday night at Joe Becker Stadium, earning a 7-2 victory behind a strong start from Frank Del Valle and timely hitting in the later innings of the game. The victory snapped a three-game losing streak for the Blasters, and set up a Sunday rubber match.
After giving up three home runs on Friday, it was the longball that gave the Blasters the early lead on Saturday night. In the bottom of the second, Oscar Mesa reached on an error to begin the frame. Cory Morales stepped to the plate and belted a two-run homer to left field, his first of the season. The home run put the Blasters ahead 2-0, a margin that would last until the sixth.
Frank Del Valle posted the best start of the season for a Blaster pitcher, albeit in a no decision. The lefty did not allow an earned run over his six innings of work, allowing just three hits. He was also the first Joplin hurler in 2016 to strike out ten hitters, nine of which were of the swinging variety.
Sioux Falls got on the board in the top of the sixth against Del Valle. Blake Schmit drew a leadoff walk, and moved up to second on Ozney Guillen's sacrifice bunt, which he beat to first after a throwing error. A David Bergin single loaded the bases for Cameron Monger. Monger hit a line drive that was dropped by Jesus Solorzano, who was still able to throw Bergin out at second. Schmit scored on the play to cut the Joplin lead to 2-1.
The game was tied on the second pitch of the top of the seventh by former Blaster Michael Pair. The catcher hit his third homer in as many days well over the right field wall against Jose Ortega.
Geraldo Valentin responded to Pair's homer with one of his own in the bottom of the seventh. The first baseman clubbed a deep homer to left field, putting the Blasters back ahead for good, 3-2.
Joplin pulled away in the bottom of the eighth, scoring four times to take the final 7-2 lead. Juan Medina and Willie Cabrera each recorded their third hit of the game during the frame, with runs driven in by Mitch Glasser, Cabrera, and Oscar Mesa.
Ortega picked up the victory for the Blasters, while Joe Bircher dropped to 0-4 over 6.1 innings on the mound.
The series will be decided on Sunday, with first pitch set for 5:05 p.m. Patrick Mincey starts for the Blasters for the second time in the current homestand. -- Ryan Murphy Play-by-Play Broadcaster Joplin Blasters.
American Association Stories from June 18, 2016
- Del Valle, Homers Lead Blasters to Win - Joplin Blasters
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- Wichita Blanked By Herron, Fargo-Moorhead - Wichita Wingnuts
- Sioux City Explodes for Sixteen Runs in Victory over Texas - Sioux City Explorers
- Saints' Homers Down Goldeyes - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Charle's in Charge: Rosario Shuts out Saltdogs - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Saints Hammer Five Home Runs, Win 21st of Season, 11-5 over Goldeyes - St. Paul Saints
- Wingnuts Game Notes: June 18 vs. Fargo-Moorhead - Wichita Wingnuts
- American Association Results - AA
- Home Runs Propel Sioux Falls to Win over Blasters - Joplin Blasters
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