Milestone Night for Valentin Leads 3-1 Victory over Laredo
August 28, 2016 - American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release
On a milestone night, Geraldo Valentin led the Joplin Blasters to a second consecutive victory over the Laredo Lemurs on Saturday night, dropping the visitors from south Texas by a 3-1 margin at Joe Becker Stadium. The veteran infielder went 4-for-4 with two home runs, and his second hit of the ballgame accounted for his 1,000th professional hit.
The Blasters offense got out to an explosive start, taking a 2-0 lead just four pitches into the bottom of the first. On the very first pitch of the game from starter and losing pitcher Gabe Perez, KC Huth lifted his first professional home run over the left field wall. On the fourth pitch, Valentin launched his 17th homer of the season to nearly the same spot. Valentin's 17 homers are the most for any Blaster over the team's two seasons.
In the bottom of the third, Valentin blooped a single into shallow right field, marking the 1000th hit of his professional tenure- not including his time in winter ball. Of the 1,002 hits, 121 have come this season, the second highest total of Valentin's eleven year career.
Valentin capped his night with his second home run, the second time in less than a week that he has hit multiple homers. His deep solo shot gave Joplin a 3-0 lead that was more than enough for the Blasters.
Santos Arias supplied another stellar start, keeping the Lemurs off balance throughout his six innings on the mound. Before allowing a run in the top of the seventh, Arias had amassed a streak of 15 consecutive innings without allowing a run, a streak that dated back nearly two weeks and included parts of three starts. He earned his second victory of the season, both of which have come against the Lemurs.
Laredo's lone run came in the top of the seventh inning. Ty Morrison walked, Jesus Posso hit an infield single, and Zane Chavez drove in Morrison with a single into left field. Carlos Fuentes relieved Arias, and retired the next two hitters with flyouts. Alberto Castillo closed the frame by getting pinch hitter Brennan Metzger to fly out to center field.
Roby Romero picked up his second save of the season, retiring each of the five Laredo hitters he faced. The loss dropped Laredo 2.5 games of the Winnipeg Goldeyes for the wild card, and kept the Lemurs four games back of the Wichita Wingnuts in the South Division. The Blasters remained one game ahead of the Texas AirHogs for third place in the South.
The Blasters can claim the series for the first time this season against Laredo on Sunday afternoon in the Joe Becker Stadium finale. The first pitch is scheduled for 5:05 p.m., and will feature lefthander Wander Perez on the mound for the home team. He will be opposed by Laredo righty Ryan Beckman.
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