Franchise Record for Hits Propels Blasters to Split
Published on May 22, 2016 under American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release
The Joplin Blasters tied a franchise record for hits, and earned a series split with the Winnipeg Goldeyes on Sunday afternoon at Joe Becker Stadium. The Blasters never trailed in a 10-5 triumph, their second win in a row.
The Blasters' scoring started with a bang in the bottom of the second inning, when rookie Will Soto belted his first career homer over the left field fence. Soto's homer gave the Blasters a 1-0 lead after two innings.
Joplin scored again in the bottom of the third, taking a two run lead over the visitors from Manitoba. After the first two hitters of the frame were retired, Geraldo Valentin singled. Willie Cabrera followed with a run-scoring double, driving in his fourth run of the season.
Winnipeg cut the lead back to a run in the top of the fourth, utilizing a leadoff walk. Adam Heisler, who stole three bases in the contest, walked and stole second. He also advanced to third on a passed ball before scoring on a David Rohm single. Rohm was thrown out at second base to end the inning.
A four-run fifth inning, the team's biggest of the season, pushed the Joplin lead to 6-1. Singles by Aaron Brill and Valentin, as well as a hit by pitch to Glasser loaded the bases with one out. Cabrera then upped his season RBI total to six on a two-run double. After a Jake Taylor walk, Will Soto drove in two more runs on a double of his own.
As usual for the opening series, the Goldeyes rallied, pulling to within one run after a four-run sixth. Winnipeg loaded the bases with no outs on a walk and two singles. Reggie Abercrombie drove in two runs on a single, while two more runs came into score on a David Rohm single and a wild pitch.
The Blasters answered in the bottom of the sixth, scoring a run to increase the lead to two runs. Jesus Solorzano hit a leadoff single, and moved to second on a Michael Pair sacrifice bunt. After taking third on a passed ball, Solorzano scored on a double from Zack Burling, giving the Blasters a 7-5 advantage.
Three runs in the bottom of the seventh put the game away for the Blasters. Valentin recorded his fourth single of the game to begin the frame, and scored when a single by Taylor was thrown into the Joplin dugout, similar to the way Saturday night's game ended. Taylor scored on Soto's fourth RBI of the game, and the scoring concluded on a single from Burling that plated Soto.
Josue Montanez earned his first win for the Blasters, and his fourth win in five tries dating back to last season. Including the end of 2015, Joplin has now won seven straight games in which Montanez has pitched. Victor Capellan and Winston Abreu finished the game for the 2-2 Blasters, tossing 2.1 scoreless innings.
After a Monday off day, the Blasters begin a three game series with the Wichita Wingnuts on Tuesday night at Joe Becker Stadium. Tuesday is Hope 4U- BCA Charity Night at the ballpark, and the Blasters will be wearing special jerseys for the occasion. Josh Evans will make his second start of the season, and will be opposed by Wichita righty Jon Link.
American Association Stories from May 22, 2016
- Saints Bring out the Brooms, Sweep Four Game Series from RailCats 10-5 - St. Paul Saints
- Explorers Slump Coninues With Loss On Sunday - Sioux City Explorers
- Sixth-Inning Rally Falls Short - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Franchise Record for Hits Propels Blasters to Split - Joplin Blasters
- American Association Game Recaps - AA
- AirHogs Earn Series Split with 6-3 Win over T-Bones - Texas AirHogs
- Homers Doom Wingnuts in Sunday Matinee - Wichita Wingnuts
- Homer Happy 'Dogs Hold off 'Nuts - Lincoln Saltdogs
- AirHogs Get in the Win Column - Texas AirHogs
- Wingnuts Game Notes: May 22 vs. Lincoln - Wichita Wingnuts
- Wingnuts Game Notes: May 22 vs. Lincoln - Wichita Wingnuts
- Blasters Rally Past Winnipeg - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- The RailCats Have a Tough Night - Gary SouthShore Railcats
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