An impressive start by newcomer Jerry Keel guided San Antonio to a 2-0, series-evening win over Springfield Saturday night in front of 5,783 at Wolff Stadium.In Friday night's opener, Matt Pearce out-dueled Enyel De Los Santos to end the Missions' three-game win streak. On Saturday, San Antonio had to deal
An impressive start by newcomer Jerry Keel guided San Antonio to a 2-0, series-evening win over Springfield Saturday night in front of 5,783 at Wolff Stadium.
In Friday night's opener, Matt Pearce out-dueled Enyel De Los Santos to end the Missions' three-game win streak. On Saturday, San Antonio had to deal with Springfield righty Jack Flaherty, who entered his start 7-1 with a miniscule 1.26 ERA (2nd in TL).
Unfazed, the Missions sprung for the game's first rally with the help of the top of the order. The inning looked like it would be a breeze for Flaherty, who retired Auston Bousfield on a groundout before fanning Keel looking. However, Luis Urías kept the frame alive with a ground rule double to right. José Rondón gave the Missions a 1-0 lead when he followed with a single to center.
An inning later, San Antonio strung together another two-out rally against Flaherty (7-2) when catcher Stephen McGee followed an Albert Martinez single with a double down the left-field line.
The two runs of support were plenty for Keel, who spun six and two-thirds innings of six-hit ball. Keel (1-0) fanned five against just two walks and threw 60 of his 91 pitches for strikes. The 23-year-old southpaw was making his first start since arrive from Class A Fort Wayne, where he was 3-2 with a 2.96 ERA.
Relievers Aroni Nina, Eric Yardley and Brad Wieck (1st save) combined to toss two and a third hitless innings to cap San Antonio's league-leading eighth shutout of the season.
San Antonio (28-21) wraps up its homestand Sunday at 5:05 PM with the rubber match against Springfield (25-22). Chris Huffman will take the ball for the Missions in his Double-A debut, while the Cards counter with fellow righty Sandy Alcantara (2-3, 7.12). Following the game, country star Pat Green will take the Wolff Stadium stage for the first time as part of the H-E-B Memorial Day Weekend Celebration. And after the concert there will be a special fireworks extravaganza.
Notes: Before the game, RHP Kyle Lloyd and OF Nick Schulz were transferred to Triple-A El Paso. The corresponding moves were Huffman and Bousfield, who rejoined the club from High-A Lake Elsinore.
