RailCats Deal Blasters Defeat in Final Series Opener
Published on September 3, 2016 under American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release
The Joplin Blasters saw their losing streak extend to five games on Friday night, dropping a 3-0 decision to the Gary SouthShore RailCats at the U.S. Steel Yard. Gary moved within a game and a half of first place Sioux City in the Central Division, while the Blasters remain a game clear of Texas for third place in the South.
Gary scored all the runs they would need in the bottom of the first, plating the opening run before Joplin could record an out. Chase Harris singled on the second pitch from Carlos Fuentes, and proceeded to steal second base. Colin Willis then drew a walk, and Anthony Cheky laid down a bunt that brought Harris across the plate on an errant throw. Fuentes got the Blasters out of the inning after inducing a popout and a double play.
The RailCats scored again in the bottom of the second inning. Kris Goodman hit a leadoff single, and stole second base. With one out, John Holland hit an RBI single to give Gary a 2-0 lead. Jarred Mederos doubled down the right field line, but a baserunning mistake from Holland saw him tagged out at third and kept any further runs off the board.
Starter Aryton Costa took a no-hitter into the sixth inning, which was broken up via a single from Cie Arell. Arell led the Joplin offense with two hits, while a single from Edwin Gomez supplied the only other Blaster hit. He had also retired the first 13 hitters of the game before Alex Polston drew a walk in the fifth inning.
Costa earned his first professional victory in the effort, while Fuentes was charged with the loss despite a quality start. Jorge De Leon pitched the final two innings, and picked up his tenth save of the campaign.
Goodman, who paced the RailCats with two hits and two runs scored, doubled in the seventh inning. A groundout off the bat of Jaime Del Valle and a sacrifice fly from Holland pushed the former Marlins farmhand across the plate for the third and final run of the game.
Keith Picht recorded the final six outs for the Blasters, allowing just an eighth inning walk to Reggie Wilson. It was the eleventh time this season that Picht had not allowed a run in over an inning of work.
American Association Stories from September 3, 2016
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- Saints Win Pitching Showcase to Clinch North - Lincoln Saltdogs
- RailCats Shut out Blasters for Second Straight Game in 10-0 Win - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Wingnuts at Laredo - Wichita Wingnuts
- Wingnuts Chaved Named American Association's Top Rookie - Wichita Wingnuts
- Abercrombie Named Inaugural "Man of the Year" - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- RailCats Deal Blasters Defeat in Final Series Opener - Joplin Blasters
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