Dominant All-Around Performance Guides Blasters to 7-1 Win
August 13, 2016 - American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release
A six-run third inning was more than enough for the Joplin Blasters on Friday night, as the visitors rolled to a 7-1 victory over the Texas AirHogs at AirHogs Stadium in Grand Prairie. The Blasters never trailed in the game behind a stellar start from Mario Morales and multiple great defensive plays in the field.
Joplin's defensive efforts began in the bottom of the second inning, after a 40-minute rain delay. With a runner on second base, Cory Morales singled for Texas. Leon Byrd headed for the plate, but was thrown out right fielder Matt Martinez to keep the game scorelesss.
The outburst in the third inning began when KC Huth and Alex Polston hit singles to lead off. Polston was forced out on a fielder's choice by Mitch Glasser, which put runners on the corners. Geraldo Valentin drove in the first run with a single, and Edwin Gomez walked to load the bases.
Brandon Tierney stepped to the plate after the walk, and clubbed a triple into the left center field gap. Tierney's triple scored all three runners, extending Joplin's lead to four runs. Next was Martinez, who followed his defensive efforts with a two-run homer over the left field wall. Martinez's first professional home run gave the Blasters a 6-0 lead after the third inning.
Texas scored their lone run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Brian Bistagne singled and Michael Hur doubled to start the inning, and Bistagne scored on a Devon Rodriguez groundout to short. Mario Morales would strand Hur on third base after inducing back-to-back flyouts.
The fourth-inning run was all that would be allowed by Mario Morales, who earned his first professional victory. He worked seven innings for the Blasters with only five hits and one walk allowed. In relief, Lee Busto pitched two scoreless innings in his professional debut. The two rookies combined to allow only one walk, and 81 of their 116 pitches were throw
Valentin recorded his 100th hit in the top of the seventh inning with a double. He promptly scored when Gomez singled. Valentin was the lone Blaster to score two runs in the victory.
Joplin's defense was sharp as well in the victory. Huth made multiple difficult catches in center field, while the middle infield of Polston and Glasser backed up Morales and Busto effectively. Two double plays were turned by the Blasters, including a 3-6-3 effort started by Valentin.
Eight of the nine Joplin hitters reached base at least once, led by a 3-for-4 performance by Tierney. Huth, Gomez, and Valentin all added two hits as the Blasters evened the series at AirHogs Stadium.
With the series tied at one game apiece, the teams will take the field again at AirHogs Stadium on Saturday night, with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. Alex De La Cruz takes the mound for the Blasters, while the AirHogs counter with rookie righty Diego Ibarra.
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