Late Rally Drops Blasters in Extra Innings
Published on June 16, 2016 under American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release
The Joplin Blasters took a 4-2 lead into the ninth inning, but were unable to maintain the advantage as the Laredo Lemurs scored twice in the ninth and twice in the 12th to claim a 6-4 victory at Joe Becker Stadium on Wednesday night. The extra inning victory moved the Lemurs into sole possession of first place in the South Division.
The Blasters fired the opening shot in Wednesday's ballgame, scoring in the bottom of the first. Oscar Mesa drew a leadoff walk, and stood on third base after a single by Geraldo Valentin. Charlie Valerio drove in the first run of the game on a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Mesa and providing Joplin with a 1-0 lead.
Laredo answered in a similar fashion in the top of the second to tie the game. Dennis Phipps drew a leadoff walk, advancing to third on a Abel Nieves single and a fielder's choice. Devin Harris proceeded to even score with a sacrifice fly of his own.
Mitch Glasser extended his hit streak to eleven games in the bottom of the second, driving in three runs to push the Blasters back in front. With two outs, a walk to Alberto Castillo, a Zack Burling single and a Oscar Mesa single loaded the bases. Glasser bounced a double over the third baseman's head to clear the bases, giving the Blasters a 4-1 lead after two innings of play.
The Lemurs cut into the deficit in the next half inning with another run. JD Pulfer hit a one-out single, and advanced to third base on a bloop double by Cesar Valera. A wild pitch allowed Pulfer to score, but Valera was stranded on third base by Joplin starter Josh Hodges.
Hodges posted one of his best starts of the season, albeit without earning the victory. The towering righty allowed just the two runs over seven innings of work, and was in line for the victory until the ninth. Hodges was involved in the game's most contentious moment, when benches cleared after Laredo's Phipps charged the mound when a 3-1 pitch was ruled a strike, and words were exchanged.
Joplin's 4-2 lead held until the top of the ninth inning. The Lemurs recorded four consecutive singles off closer Winston Abreu, scoring a pair of runs on RBIs from Jesus Posso and Alvaro Rondon. It was the first time in Abreu's Joplin career that he surrendered multiple earned runs in a single outing. The righty was able to retire the top three hitters in Laredo's order to keep the game tied.
Laredo dealt the decisive blow in the 12th inning on a two-run homer by Phipps. The Lemurs' Kamakani Usui earned the victory after a 1-2-3 eleventh inning, and Harold Guerrero worked the 12th to capture the save. Joplin righty Keith Picht took his first loss of the season.
The midweek series will be decided on Thursday at Joe Becker Stadium, with the rubber match set for 6:35 p.m. Lefthander Josue Montanez pitches for Joplin against righty Danny Moskovits on Jurassic Ballpark Night at The Joe.
American Association Stories from June 16, 2016
- American Association Game Recaps - AA
- Revived Offense Snaps Losing Streak for 'Hawks - Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
- Curt Homers Again But FM Avoids Sweep - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Canaries Snap Eight-Game Skid with 10-2 Win on Thursday Afternoon - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Goldeyes Run Away with Rubber Match - Texas AirHogs
- American Association Game Recaps - AA
- Canaries Claim Series Finale over RailCats 10-2 - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Night of Baseball and Music Will be Headlined by Soul Asylum During All-Star Monday - St. Paul Saints
- Big First Helps Goldeyes Take Series - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Wichita Claims Matinee from T-Bones - Wichita Wingnuts
- Two Days of Fireworks, Autism 5K, Bark in the Park Headline Three Game Homestand - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Wingnuts Make Roster Move - Wichita Wingnuts
- Goldeyes Land Canadian First-Rounder - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Saints Enter First off Day of Season with Best Record in American Association, Win 7-1 in Game Two - St. Paul Saints
- Explorers Split Doubleheader With St. Paul - Sioux City Explorers
- Late Rally Drops Blasters in Extra Innings - Joplin Blasters
- Texas Evens Series on Winnipeg - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Big 5th-Inning Helps AirHogs Draw Even in Winnipeg - Texas AirHogs
- New Additions Lift Cats to Extra-Innings Win in Sioux Falls - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- American Association Game Recaps - AA
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
