AA Joplin Blasters

Glasser's First Pro Homer Propels Blasters to Win

Published on June 22, 2016 under American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release


Mitch Glasser hit his first professional home run in the top of the ninth inning on Wednesday afternoon, giving the Joplin Blasters the winning run in a 5-4 victory over the Kansas City T-Bones at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. Glasser's winning home run evened the midweek series between Joplin and Kansas City.

The Blasters never trailed in the game, striking first in the top of the third inning. Edwin Gomez led off with a double, and a perfectly place bunt single from Axel Johnson put runners on the corners. Johnson's bunt single was his first hit in professional baseball. Glasser followed with a single to right field, breaking the ice for the first run of the game. Geraldo Valentin then clubbed a double to score Johnson, and Valentin scored himself on an RBI single from Willie Cabrera. The hit accounted for Cabrera's 40th RBI of the season, a league best.

Kansas City scored their first runs in the bottom of the fourth, plating a pair to cut Joplin's lead to one run. Tyler Massey hit a double to kick off the frame, but the next two T-Bone hitters were set down. Brandon Tierney singled to score Massey, and another single from Dalton Wheat allowed Tierney to score and trim the Blaster advantage to 3-2.

In the next half inning, Charlie Valerio clubbed his second home run of the series, and third of the season, to deep left center field. Valerio's round-tripper increased Joplin's lead back to two runs at 4-2.

The Joplin lead remained until the seventh inning, mostly due to the efforts of lefty starter Noel Arguelles. Arguelles, who was making his second start in Kansas City and his first since coming off the disabled list, worked into the seventh inning while striking out eight T-Bone hitters. He allowed three earned runs over 6.2 quality innings, his longest start of the season.

A two-out triple by Starling Rodriguez helped the T-Bones get within one run in the bottom of the seventh. Vladimir Frias proceeded to double and drive in Rodriguez, but he was stranded on second base when Jose Ortega induced a Massey flyout to end the inning.

Against reliever Keith Picht, Kansas City scored an unearned run in the bottom of the eighth to tie the contest at four. Anthony Gallas reached first when an infield pop-up was misplayed. Singles by Tierney and Wheat loaded the bases with one out, leading the Blasters to call on Victor Capellan. Gallas scored on a sacrifice fly that was caught sliding by Cabrera, and Capellan struck out Robby Kuzdale to keep the game tied heading to the ninth, which led to Glasser's heroics.

After Glasser's home run, the Blasters had to protect the one-run lead in the bottom of the ninth. Rodriguez started with a single, and then stole second and took third on a sacrifice bunt. Capellan got Massey to pop out, and intentionally walked Jake Blackwood before striking out Gallas to earn his second victory in as many outings. Aaron Baker surrendered the home run to Glasser, and was charged with the loss.

The series will be decided on Thursday night back at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. Frank Del Valle will climb the mound for the Blasters, and will be opposed by righty Jared Messer. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. in Kansas City.

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American Association Stories from June 22, 2016


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