Spring Training Continues as Blasters Outscore Black Sox
May 11, 2016 - American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release
The second scrimmage of the 2016 Spring Training campaign tipped the way of the Joplin Blasters on Wednesday afternoon at Joe Becker Stadium, with Joplin outscoring the New Jersey Black Sox 3-2 in eight innings.
Similar to Tuesday's opener, pitchers threw to players on their own roster, while the opposition provided the defense. The game ended after eight innings, with both teams satisfied that their players had gotten in the requisite work.
Each starting pitcher held their hitters scoreless to begin the game, with Blasters righty Jason Zgardowski throwing the first two innings.
The Blasters offense scored the scrimmage's first run in the third inning. Juan Medina led off with a double, and proceeded to score on a sacrifice fly by Jesus Solorzano.
Solorzano's sacrifice fly remained the only run of the day until the bottom of the sixth, when two Black Sox that had walked to start the inning scored on a single and an error.
Three extra base hits then allowed the Blasters to move back in front in the top of the eighth, and ultimately last, inning. Solorzano continued a productive day with a home run over the left field wall. Solorzano hit ten homers a year ago for the Blasters, and drove in two runs in Wednesday's scrimmage.
After Solorzano's homer, Ronnie Richardson drilled a triple to deep center field. Richardson scored soon after on a double by Will Soto. Richardson went 2-for-2 on the day, recording an earlier infield single as well.
In addition to Zgardowski, three other pitchers worked scoreless frames for the Blasters on Wednesday. Carlos Fuentes did not allow a run in his two innings of work, while Matt Swilley and Keith Picht tossed a spotless seventh inning.
The final game between the Blasters and the Black Sox is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. Thursday. The contest will be played at Pollock Field at Wardog Stadium in Miami, Oklahoma.
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- Spring Training Continues as Blasters Outscore Black Sox - Joplin Blasters
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