Pitcher's Duel Claimed by Laredo in Series Finale
August 7, 2016 - American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release
A pitcher's duel went the way of the Laredo Lemurs on Sunday night, as the Joplin Blasters lost the final game of a four-game set at Uni-Trade Stadium, 2-1. The Blasters dropped the series to the Lemurs, who scored the game-winning run in the sixth inning for the third time in four games.
For the third game in a row, Laredo scored in the first inning. A pair of hits propelled the Lemurs to a 1-0 lead in the opening frame. Cesar Valera hit a one-out single, and Ty Morrison drove him in with a double.
From the first inning on, each team would manage only one run each. Mario Morales made his first professional start for the Blasters, and was terrific while taking a tough luck loss. Morales allowed just one earned run on six hits, walking only one Laredo hitter. Ryan Beckman earned the win for the Lemurs, pitching six innings without allowing an earned run.
In the top of the fifth inning, the Blasters got on the board with the aid of Laredo's only error of the game. KC Huth led off the inning with a double down the left field line, and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt from Conor Sullivan. With two outs, Sean Smith hit a grounder that was misplayed by second baseman Jimmy Norris, which allowed Huth to score the tying run.
Laredo plated the decisive run in the bottom of the sixth inning, a run that was also aided via error. Valera hit a one-out single, and Morrison followed with a fielder's choice. The fielder's choice was mishandled by the Blasters, putting Valera on third base with one out. After Morales struck out Denis Phipps, Zane Chavez plated the second run with a single. Morales completed the inning with a popout, but the Lemur damage was done.
The Lemurs used three relief pitchers for an inning each, including a scoreless ninth inning from Jeff Inman, who earned his tenth save. Mitch Glasser and Smith each reached base twice for the Blasters in the losing effort.
Joplin returns to Joe Becker Stadium for the first time in the month of August, the first of ten home games played in the final month of the season. The slate begins Monday with a game against the Sioux City Explorers, the first of a three-game set. Victor Ramirez is scheduled to take the mound for the Blasters, with first pitch time slated for 7:05 p.m.
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