Joplin Falls 9-2 in First Game in Laredo
June 7, 2016 - American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release
The Joplin Blasters lost their first road divisional game of the 2016 season on Monday night, falling 9-2 to the Laredo Lemurs at Uni-Trade Stadium. The loss dropped the Blasters to 7-11 on the season, and elevated the first-place Lemurs to 11-7.
Joplin scored first in Monday's game, opening the game with a run in the top of the first. Ronnie Richardson led off the contest with a double down the left field line, and advanced to third on a bunt single by Mitch Glasser. The Blasters took the early lead on a sacrifice fly to center field by Geraldo Valentin, his ninth RBI of the season.
A triple by Denis Phipps opened the bottom of the second inning for Laredo. Walks to Abel Nieves and Drew Martinez loaded the bases with one out, and another walk to Jesus Posso allowed the Lemurs to tie the game. Joplin starter Jesus Montanez induced a 4-6-3 double play to exit the inning with the game even at one.
Laredo took the lead for good in the bottom of the fourth. The Lemurs again loaded the bases, this time on singles from Phipps, Nieves, and Matt Koch. Martinez drew a walk, and Posso bounced into a fielder's choice to bring two runs across and give Laredo a 3-1 lead after four innings.
The Lemurs essentially put the game away in the bottom of the fifth with an additional four runs. Against reliever Tyler Herr, the Lemurs loaded the bases again on two walks and a single by Travis Denker. An error brought JD Pulfer across the plate, with singles by Martinez and Posso and a walk to Alvaro Rondon plating the fourth run of the inning, pushing the Laredo lead to 7-1.
Two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning finished Laredo's half of the offense. Four walks were instrumental in the two-run seventh, with Denker and Phipps driving in the runs for the Lemurs. Joplin pitching surrendered 14 walks in the contest.
Zack Burling closed the game's scoring in the top of the eighth inning, drawing a walk from former Blaster Jason Zgardowski. Burling then scored on three wild pitches from Zgardowski.
Shortstop Will Soto made his professional pitching debut in the bottom of the eighth inning, and worked a scoreless, hitless frame against the Lemur offense.
Mitch Glasser was the Blaster leader on offense, recording two of the team's four hits. Both hits came on perfectly placed bunt singles.
The Blasters will attempt to even the series and get thier first road win of the season on Tuesday in Laredo. Carlos Fuentes is set to pitch for the Blasters, and will be opposed by Laredo righty Troy Marks. First pitch at Uni-Trade Stadium is set for 7:05 p.m.
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