AA Joplin Blasters

Two-Out Hits Sink Blasters in Finale Loss

August 11, 2016 - American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release


The Joplin Blasters rallied from a three-run deficit, but could not seal the deal in a 6-4 loss to the Sioux City Explorers on Wednesday night at Joe Becker Stadium. The Explorers, who recorded seven of their eleven hits with two outs in the win, claimed the series victory, two games to one.

The early innings were dominated by starting pitchers Santos Arias and Jake Kuebler, as just a second inning run by Joplin was recorded. Joplin's second inning scoring was started by Matt Martinez, who walked in his first professional plate appearance. Martinez moved to second on a Will Soto groundout, and KC Huth was hit by a pitch with two outs. Conor Sullivan drove in the first run with a single, bringing Martinez home for the first run of his professional career.

Sioux City took the lead in the top of the fifth inning, courtesy of a longball from the nine-hole hitter in their lineup. Ralph Henriquez led off the inning with a single, but Arias retired the next two hitters with a flyout and a groundout. On a 2-1 pitch with two outs, Bryan Johns hit a two-run homer over the left field fence. Johns' second home run of the season gave the Explorers a 2-1 lead.

Another pair of runs crossed the plate for Sioux City in the sixth inning, stretching the lead to three runs. Nate Samson and LeVon Washington hit singles with one out, placing runners on the corners. Samson scored on a wild pitch, and Washington crossed the plate after a Tim Colwell single and a Ralph Henriquez sacrifice fly.

Brandon Tierney continued his hot hitting during the series with Joplin's biggest hit of the game, which came in the bottom of the sixth. Mitch Glasser hit a leadoff single and Edwin Gomez drew a one-out walk, which brought Tierney to the plate. The third baseman crushed a three-run homer to left center field on the first pitch of the at-bat. The home run from Tierney, who drove in six of the eight Blaster runs during the series, tied the game at four.

Joplin had an opportunity to take the lead in the bottom of the seventh, putting runners on second and third with no outs. The Explorers escaped damage by inducing a popout, and two strikeouts.

The Explorers regained the lead in the top of the eighth, this time for good. Keith Picht and Alberto Castillo combined to retire the first two hitters of the inning, but Colwell hit a single and stole second base. Henriquez was dealt an intentional walk, and Tommy Mendonca gave Sioux City the lead with a single into right field.

Three consecutive singles allowed the Explorers to score an insurance run in the top of the ninth. Washington drove in Michael Lang with a two-out single, accounting for the 6-4 final score. P.J. Francescon won his first game for the Explorers, while Castillo suffered his second loss for the Blasters.

Following the three-game homestand, the Blasters head on the road for a four-game series with the Texas AirHogs in Grand Prairie. Wander Perez starts the opening game for Joplin, with first pitch time scheduled for 7:05 p.m. -- Ryan Murphy Director of Broadcasting Joplin Blasters



American Association Stories from August 11, 2016


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