A night after the Joplin Blasters pounded out 19-runs and 24-hits, the team found itself trailing 4-2 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning. A four-run inning would give the Blasters the lead as they would go on to defeat the Wichita Wingnuts 6-4. That dropped Wichita to 1-5 early on this season, and gives Joplin a 4-2 record, tops in the South Division of the American Association.

Anthony Capra started for Wichita and was opposed by Josh Hodges. Neither team was able to score in the first two frames, but the Wingnuts jumped out to the 3-0 lead in the top of the third. With one out, Leo Vargas singled and moved to second on a walk to Christian Stringer. Next up was Zack Cox who blasted his first homerun of the season to give his team the lead.

The Blasters responded in the bottom half of the inning, scoring two of their own. A walk to Mitch Glasser started the inning and Geraldo Valentin singled to move Glasser to third. A sacrifice fly by Willie Cabrera brought home Glasser and Charlie Valerio singled home Valentin to make it a one-run game.

In the fifth, the Wingnuts would extend their lead back to two when Brent Clevlen hit his third homer of the season with two outs. That made the score 4-2.

Capra had pitched a fine ballgame for Wichita, but he left after five innings. Alex Boshers took over for the lefty, but he could not hold the lead. Jake Taylor started the bottom of the sixth with a single and moved to second when Will Soto singled. Jesus Solorzano then ripped a double to the wall, scoring Taylor and Zack Burling’s ground out scored Soto to tie the game. Not only was the game tied but Solorzano was just 90-feet from home plate. He didn’t stay there long, as Glasser doubled him home to give Joplin their first lead of the game. A base hit by Valentin scored Glasser and it was 6-4.

From there the Joplin bullpen was outstanding. Patrick Mincey and Victor Capellan each pitched a perfect inning of relief of Hodges (1-0). In the ninth, Winston Abreu came on looking to record his first save of the season. He gave up a hit, but struck out the side to close the deal. That gave the Joplin Blasters the 6-4 win.

Valentin finished the game 2-3 with a run and an RBI. Glasser scored two, drove in one and walked twice.

These two teams finish their three-game series tomorrow as Joplin goes for the sweep.

Boxscore

By Robert Pannier