Joplin 5, Texas 4 – Box
The Joplin Blasters held off a late comeback to defeat the Texas AirHogs 5-4. The win gave the Blasters their seventh win of the year as they now are in second place in the South Division. RF Jesus Solorzano was excellent going 2-for-3, as he hit his first home run of the year to help guide the Blasters’ offense. Starter Josh Hodges earned his second win of the year hurling 6.1 strong innings, allowing four earned runs on five hits as reliever Winston Abreu recorded his second save. LF Burt Reynolds and C Michael Miller both hit home runs for Texas.
Lincoln 7, Winnipeg 5 – Box
Scoring six runs in the first four innings, the Lincoln Saltdogs held off a late rally in their 7-5 defeat of the Winnipeg Goldeyes. The win was their ninth of the year and puts Lincoln in first place by one game in the Central Division. Saltdogs’ DH Curt Smith went 2-for-2 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored. In 2015, Smith blasted 12 home runs for Lincoln. Starter Matt Larkins logged the win throwing six innings, allowing two earned runs with six strikeouts while reliever Jeff McKenzie earned the save, his third of the year. For Winnipeg, LF Adam Heisler went 4-for-4 with two RBI to boost his season average to .361.
Fargo-Moorhead 6, Sioux Falls 3 – Box
Trailing 2-0 entering the seventh inning, the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks scored six runs en route to a 6-3 victory over the Sioux Falls Canaries. LF Chad Mozingo and 2B Ryan Pineda each had two hits as the RedHawks outhit the Canaries 9-7. RedHawks’ starter Taylor Stanton collected the win going 6.1 strong innings, surrendering three earned runs on six hits. RF Chris Grayson led the Canaries’ offense going 2-for-5 with a run scored.
Sioux City 5, Kansas City 2 – Box
The Sioux City Explorers scored five runs over the first three innings en route to a 5-2 win over the Kansas City T-Bones. RF Michael Lang went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and 3B Tommy Mendonca his third home run of the season to help lead the Explorers’ offense. Sioux City starter Ryan Zimmerman received the win pitching six innings, giving up just two earned runs while reliever Connor Overton logged the save. For the T-Bones, CF Tyler Massey had two hits.
Gary SouthShore 8, Wichita 3 – Box
The Gary SouthShore RailCats defeated the Wichita Wingnuts 8-3 to win their eighth game of the year. The RailCats outhit the Wingnuts 12-11 and were led by DH Cameron Newell, who was 3-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI. 3B Jose Sermo hit his third home run of the season as well. Starter Charle Rosario racked up the win pitching six strong innings, scattering five hits and one earned run. For Wichita, DH Brent Clevlen went 2-for-5 with a home run.
Laredo 4, St. Paul 3 – Box
3B Abel Nieves led the way for Laredo as the Lemurs defeated the St. Paul Saints by a final score of 4-3 to increase their first place lead in the South Division to two games. The victory was the ninth of the year for Laredo as reliever Kyle Winkler earned the win throwing 1.2 scoreless innings. Reliever Jeff Inman earned the save also pitching 1.2 scoreless innings. For St. Paul, CF Alonzo Harris had a fantastic night offensively going 3-for-5 with three RBI and one run scored.
