St. Paul Claims Doubleheader Victories over Blasters
June 2, 2016 - American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release
The Joplin Blasters were swept in a modified doubleheader on Wednesday, losing 4-0 and 4-1 to the St. Paul Saints. The games were played at Warren Turner Field in Joplin, the home of the collegiate Missouri Southern State Lions, due to unplayable conditions at Joe Becker Stadium. The opening game of the doubleheader was begun on Tuesday night and continued Wednesday, while the nightcap was played in full on Wednesday.
St. Paul scored the entirety of the first game's runs on Tuesday, plating four runs in the top of the second. Angelo Songco and Tony Thomas drew walks, and Willie Argo bunted for a single. On Argo's bunt, the throw to first base was errant, allowing Songco to score. Thomas subsequently came in on a wild pitch, and Argo crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly by Sam Maus. Aaron Gretz completed the inning's offense with his first home run of the season, a solo shot to right.
A torrential downpour halted the contest in the middle of the third inning, and the game was picked up on Wednesday across town at Missouri Southern.
Upon resumption, pitchers Carlos Fuentes and Jeff Shields dominated the action. Fuentes tossed four shutout innings for the Blasters, while Shields did not allow a run over five frames. In the final four and a half innings, the two teams combined for five hits.
The biggest threat for the Blasters came in the bottom of the fifth. Joplin loaded the bases with two outs, but an inning ending strikeout neutralized the threat.
Wednesday's second game was also marked by great pitching, with each team scoring just one run through ten innings of action. The Blasters started the scoring in the bottom of the second. After the first two batters of the frame were retired, Cory Morales singled in his first Blaster at bat. He advanced to second base on an error, and scored when Juan Medina singled through the infield.
In the top of the fourth inning, Nate Hanson clubbed a leadoff double for the Saints. The Blasters retired the next two hitters, but then surrendered a triple to Argo to tie the game. A groundout kept the game tied.
Patrick Mincey made his first professional start on Wednesday, and allowed just one run over 3.2 innings of work. Joplin relievers Jose Ortega, Victor Capellan, Winston Abreu, and Tyler Herr combined for six scoreless innings of work. They were matched by Caleb Thielbar, who retired all eleven Joplin hitters he faced.
St. Paul finally broke through in the top of the eleventh. Argo drew a leadoff walk, and was safe at second on a bunt from Brady Burzynski. With runners on first and second, Tanner Vavra laid down another bunt, and the throw to third skipped away. The errant throw allowed Argo to score to put the Saints ahead. Gretz then provided the insurance with a two run double down the right field line.
Chris Peacock earned the victory for the Saints, while Josh Evans was tasked with his third loss. Ryan Rodebaugh pitched the bottom of the eleventh, and picked up his fourth save.
The series will conclude on Thursday with another doubleheader in Joplin. First pitch of the first game is set for 3 p.m., with the second game following roughly a half hour after the conclusion of the opener.
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