Rain-Shortened Contest Won by Blasters in Laredo
Published on August 21, 2016 under American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release
The Joplin Blasters got a rain-shortened victory on Saturday night, claiming a 2-0 win over the Laredo Lemurs at Uni-Trade Stadium. The game was stopped in the top of the eighth inning due to torrential downpours in south Texas, and reverted back to the final full inning, the seventh.
The first of Joplin's two runs crossed the plate in the top of the first inning. Mitch Glasser drew a leadoff walk, and Edwin Gomez did the same with one out. Brandon Tierney drove in Glasser with a single, giving the Blasters a 1-0 lead.
Saturday's game went into a weather delay in the top of the third inning, with Joplin runners on first and second. The delay, which began with dry skies but inclement weather in the area. The game would not resume for an hour and a half, and the Blasters were unable to score against relief pitcher Jeff Inman.
Despite the delay, Santos Arias came back out and pitched three more innings for the Blasters. Arias pitched five innings for Joplin, picking up his first Association victory. Carlos Fuentes was the only relief pitcher used by the Blasters, pitching two scoreless, hitless innings before the game was called.
Laredo's best chance to score came in the bottom of the third inning. Abel Nieves hit a one-out single, and Denis Phipps followed with a double. Arias left both runners on base by inducing a popout from Ty Morrison and striking out Burt Reynolds. The Lemurs did not get a runner into scoring position for the remainder of the evening.
The Blasters supplied the final run of the game in the top of the sixth inning. Tierney hit a leadoff single, and was bunted over to second by Ermindo Escobar. With two outs, KC Huth drove in Tierney by singling into left field.
Joplin's 2-0 lead held until the top of the eighth inning, when heavy rains and nearby lightning forced another delay, which proved to end the ballgame. Tierney and Escobar had hit one-out singles before the weather and resulting field conditions left the umpiring crew no choice but to call the game.
Each team recorded four hits in the abbreviated contest, and the double from Phipps proved to be the only extra-base hit on Saturday night. Tierney was the only player to record multiple hits, as the Texas native went 2-for-3 with a run scored and a run batted in.
With the series even at a game, the Blasters and Lemurs conclude the three-game set at Uni-Trade Stadium on Sunday night. Wander Perez takes the mound for Joplin, and is opposed by Laredo righthander Troy Marks. First pitch in Laredo is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
American Association Stories from August 21, 2016
- Crosby's Grand Slam Lifts RailCats to 14-5 Win - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- From Highest High, to Lowest Low, Saints Lose 7-6 in 11 - St. Paul Saints
- Wingnuts Game Notes: August 21 at Gary - Wichita Wingnuts
- Wingnuts Game Notes: August 21 at Gary - Wichita Wingnuts
- Rain-Shortened Contest Won by Blasters in Laredo - Joplin Blasters
- AirHogs Split Twinbill in KC, Rubber Match Tomorrow - Texas AirHogs
- Goldeyes Drop Tight Game in Sioux City - Winnipeg Goldeyes
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.
