Dominant All-Around Performance Gives Blasters Series Win
Published on July 27, 2016 under American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release
The Joplin Blasters posted a dominant performance on the mound and at the plate on Wednesday night, rolling to an 8-0 victory over the Texas AirHogs at Joe Becker Stadium. It was the first Blaster shutout win of the season, and gave the hosts a second consecutive series victory. The Blasters have now won four of their last six contests.
Wednesday's dominance was keyed in the center of the diamond by pitchers Chris Treibt and Carlos Fuentes. Treibt was making his team and Association debut, and tossed five scoreless innings to start the game. He was relieved by Fuentes, who finished the game with four nearly spotless innings. The two combined for seven strikeouts and only two walks, and three of their four hits allowed were singles. For their efforts, Triebt picked up the win in the first start of his five-year professional career, and Fuentes earned a four-inning save, the first of his career.
After two scoreless innings, the Blaster offense started its work in the bottom of the third. Newly signed catcher Ermindo Escobar doubled for his first Joplin hit. With two outs in the frame, leadoff hitter Mitch Glasser clubbed a two-run home run into Joe Becker Stadium's left field bleachers. The home run, the second of Glasser's season and career, gave the Blasters a 2-0 lead, which would prove to be more than enough for Treibt and Fuentes.
The offensive outburst was at its peak in the bottom of the fourth, when five Joplin runs put the game further out of reach for the AirHogs. A single from Mark Krueger and a double by Charlie Valerio started the action. Greyson Bogden followed with a fielder's choice that saw Krueger put out at the plate, placing runners on first and second.
Brandon Tierney broke through with a single, bringing Valerio across the plate for the third Blaster run. KC Huth and Escobar each singled, plating Bogden and Tierney respectively. After a strike out put the second out of the inning on the board, Glasser continued his hot hitting with a double down the left field line. The double scored Huth and Escobar, and pushed Joplin's lead to 7-0. Glasser and Escobar led the Blasters with two hits apiece, while seven of the nine hitters in the Joplin lineup scored at least one run.
Joplin's final run came across in the bottom of the seventh, without the aid of a hit. Alex Polston led off the inning, and reached second base on an AirHog error. A wild pitch moved the rookie shortstop to third, and Geraldo Valentin drove in his 43rd run of the season with a groundout.
The victory moved the Blasters, who won both series with the AirHogs in Joplin, to within 1.5 games of Texas for third place in the South Division. The Blasters and AirHogs play twice more this season, both in the Lone Star State.
Thursday begins the final series for the Blasters before the Association's All-Star break. The Fargo-Moorehead RedHawks come to The Joe for four games, the lone series this season between the two teams. The series opener is set for 7:05 p.m., and will see Victor Ramirez climbing the hill for the home team.
American Association Stories from July 27, 2016
- Taylor's Hits Two Homers, But the Birds Fall 12-8 - Sioux Falls Canaries
- RailCats Take Rubber Match in Kansas City Behind Five-Run 6th Inning - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Goldeyes and RedHawks Split Doubleheader - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Dominant All-Around Performance Gives Blasters Series Win - Joplin Blasters
- 'Dogs Blank Wichita for Historic Victory - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Wingnuts Game Recap: Wichita Two-Hit by Saltdogs in Finale - Wichita Wingnuts
- X's Fall To St. Paul On Rain Filled Wednesday - Sioux City Explorers
- Four Pitchers Combine on One-Hitter as Saints Win Rain Delayed Game 1-0 - St. Paul Saints
- Saltdogs Nominate Darby for 'Man of Year' - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Saints Sign Another Twins Prospect, Third Round Pick Corey Williams - St. Paul Saints
- Second Inning Sinks Blasters in Loss to AirHogs - Joplin Blasters
- Homers by Rodriguez, Miller Key Game 2 Win - Texas AirHogs
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