JOPLIN, Mo. — Jorge Martinez maneuvered his way through the Lincoln lineup three-plus times unscathed once again as the Joplin Blasters (25-14) shutout the Saltdogs (14-27) 6-0 in front of 3,027 fans at Joe Becker Stadium Saturday night.
Martinez (5-2) tossed 7 1/3 innings, scattering seven hits while striking out six and walking zero, and has now gone 2-0 with no runs allowed in 14 1/3 innings against the ‘Dogs.
Joplin’s plated two in the third inning, beginning with a two-out RBI double down the left field line from Oscar Mesa.
After extending the lead to 3-0 thanks to a misplayed ground ball, the Blasters put the game away with three two-out runs in the bottom of the eighth.
Luis Chirinos (2-5) pitched well despite allowing a litany of base runners, allowing two earned in seven innings to suffer the loss.
Jon Gaston and Mike Gilmartin each had two hits for the Saltdogs, who stranded 10 runners in the series-clinching defeat.
The ‘Dogs have now dropped all five (of 13) season meetings with Joplin.
Lincoln looks to avoid the sweep Sunday evening at 5:05 p.m. RHP Jesse Smith (2-3, 3.22) is expected to pitch against RHP Nestor Molina (3-2, 2.94). Radio coverage begins at 4:35 p.m. on KFOR FM 103.3/1240 AM.
The Saltdogs return home Friday, July 10 with a Fireworks Friday as they host Grand Prairie at 7:05 p.m. July 11 is a Souvenir Saturday featuring an Ameritas Red Saltdogs Jersey Giveaway and a 6:05 p.m. start time. Get your tickets now at www.saltdogs.com.