Wichita Sweeps Blasters with 3-1 Victory
September 1, 2016 - American Association (AA)
Joplin Blasters News Release
The Joplin Blasters fell victim to a sweep at the hands of the Wichita Wingnuts, dropping the series finale 3-1 to the South Division titlists on Thursday night at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. The Blasters lost a fourth consecutive contest despite outhiting Wichita, 6-5.
The sole Blaster run came in the top of the third inning. Mitch Glasser hit a one-out single, and Geraldo Valentin brought Glasser home with a double. It was Valentin's 127th hit of the season, setting a new career-high for the 11-year veteran. His previous career high came in 2007 for the Wichita Wranglers in the Kansas City Royals organization. KC Huth also hit a single in the inning, which accounted for three of Joplin's six hits in the losing effort.
Santos Arias tossed another quality start for the Blasters despite taking his second loss of the season. Arias threw 105 pitches, striking out seven hitters with only two walks. He worked six innings without allowing a run to the Wingnuts, but was charged with the loss when Wichita struck in the bottom of the seventh.
In the bottom of the seventh, T.J. Mittelstaedt drew a walk from Arias, and proceeded to steal both second and third base. Association Player of the Month Matt Chavez tied the game with a single, which brought Victor Ramirez onto the mound for the Blasters. Martin Medina then doubled, putting runners on second and third with no outs. Brennen Salgado gave Wichita the lead for good with a two-run single, which concluded the scoring in the 3-1 contest.
Tim Brown was the winning pitcher for the Wingnuts, allowing just the one run over seven innings on the mound. Chad Nading pitched the eighth inning for Wichita, while Frankie Reed got his second save of the series with a scoreless ninth inning.
Axel Johnson pitched a scoreless ninth inning despite walking a pair of Wichita hitters. Ermindo Escobar led the Blasters offense with a pair of hits, which included a double.
The Blasters will finish the 2016 season with a four game series against the Gary SouthShore RailCats at the U.S. Steel Yard in northwest Indiana. The opener of the series with the RailCats, who are still in contention for the Central Division, is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. Carlos Fuentes will make the start for the Blasters, who enter the final series of the season 1.5 games ahead of Texas for third place in the South Division.
American Association Stories from September 1, 2016
- Wichita Sweeps Blasters with 3-1 Victory - Joplin Blasters
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- Six-Run Inning Carries Canaries to Series Sweep of RailCats - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Johns Belts Two-Run Walk-Off Homer to Get the Victory - Sioux City Explorers
- Canaries Wrap up Home Schedule with 9-4 Win over the RailCats - Sioux Falls Canaries
- Wingnuts Game Recap: Wingnuts Complete Sweep of Blasters - Wichita Wingnuts
- Wingnuts Game Notes: September 1 vs. Joplin - Wichita Wingnuts
- Wingnuts Chavez Named Player of the Month - Wichita Wingnuts
- Saints Celebrate the End of Summer - St. Paul Saints
- Misell, Rodriguez Star But AirHogs Drop Game 3 - Texas AirHogs
- Fish Come Back to Win on Record-Breaking Night - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Saints Lose Late Lead to Goldeyes, Fall 3-2 - St. Paul Saints
- Blasters Fall to Wichita as Wingnuts Clinch Division - Joplin Blasters
- X's Down 'Dogs to Pull Back into First Place Tie - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Monger Picks up Three RBIs in Can - Sioux Falls Canaries
- RailCats Can't Complete Comeback, Lose 4-3 to Cana - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Wichita Clinches South Division Title - Wichita Wingnuts
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