Lincoln Rally Stuns Blasters In Series Opener
August 16, 2016 - American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release
The Joplin Blasters could not complete a fourth consecutive victory, giving up the final four runs in a 5-4 loss to the Lincoln Saltdogs Monday night at Joe Becker Stadium. The Saltdogs moved into a tie for first place in the Central Division with the victory, drawing even with the Sioux City Explorers.
Lincoln scored the game's opening run in the top of the second inning. A trio of singles from Ryan Wiggins, John Contreras, and Robby Kuzdale provided the offense, with Kuzdale driving in Wiggins with a two-out hit into left field.
A pair of leadoff hits helped the Blasters tie the game in the bottom of the third. Alex Polston and Mitch Glasser hit consecutive singles, and moved to second and third on a sacrifice bunt from Will Soto. Polston scored Joplin's first run of the game on a wild pitch to Geraldo Valentin, but Glasser was stranded on third to tie the game.
For the fourth straight game, the Blaster starter posted a quality outing. Santos Arias tossed six innings, allowing only the second inning run to the Saltdogs. The Dominican righthander took a tough-luck no decision despite his best start of the season.
The Blasters broke the deadlock in the bottom of the sixth inning with two runs. Brandon Tierney clubbed a triple into left-center field with one out, and stood on third with two outs in the inning. KC Huth drove Tierney in with a triple of his own, and crossed the plate four pitches later on a Conor Sullivan RBI single.
Joplin's 3-1 lead was extended via two-out rally in the bottom of the seventh. Valentin hit an infield single to the Lincoln shortstop, and Edwin Gomez followed with a double into right field. Gomez was thrown out trying to stretch for a triple, but the Blasters had a 4-1 lead after seven innings.
Three hits in the top of the eighth inning started the Lincoln comeback. Curt Smith and Luis Alen hit consecutive singles, with a wild pitch moving both runners into scoring position. After Alberto Castillo struck out Jon Smith, Tyler Urps hit a single that scored Curt Smith. Keith Picht retired the final two hitters of the inning, keeping the lead at two for the time being.
The Saltdogs claimed victory with three runs in the top of the ninth, dealing Picht his third loss of the season. Both of the inning's hits came with two outs. Brandon Jacobs stood on first with two outs, and Curt Smith walked to put the tying run on. Alen drove in Jacobs with a single, and a two-run double from Jon Smith scored Curt Smith and pinch-runner Austin Darby. Evan Reed earned his 18th save in the bottom of the ninth, stranding pinch runner Cie Arell at third after a Sullivan leadoff single.
The Blasters will look to even the series on Tuesday night with the Saltdogs at Joe Becker Stadium. Lefty Wander Perez climbs the mound for the 7:05 first pitch in Joplin.
American Association Stories from August 16, 2016
- Trio of Lincoln Home Runs Overwhelms Blasters - Joplin Blasters
- Wingnuts Split Twin Bill with T-Bones - Wichita Wingnuts
- Lincoln Rally Stuns Blasters In Series Opener - Joplin Blasters
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.
