Luzardo Tosses Five Scoreless in Loss

Scoring runs in the first three games of the series at San Antonio has been difficult for the home team … and almost impossible for the visitors.
The San Antonio Missions broke a scoreless tie in the sixth and went on to edge the RockHounds, 2-0, Saturday night at Nelson Wolff Stadium in San Antonio.
It was the Missions' second consecutive shutout in a series in which the RockHounds have been held to one run.
Each team collected just four hits for the game, with the Missions using a pair of doubles to get on the board in the sixth. Fernando Tatis, Jr. led off with a "hustle double" to center against reliever Kyle Friedrichs and Austin Allen continued his remarkable success at the plate against the RockHounds (see below) with an RBI two-bagger to the base of the wall in right field.
The game's only other run scored, somewhat ironically in a game dominated by pitching, on three walks and a sacrifice fly in the eighth.
Both starters were brilliant. Jesse Scholtens (a college teammate of RockHounds catcher Sean Murphy at Wright State University) gave up two singles in the first inning before retiring the last 16 batters he faced. He combined with three relievers on the shutout.
Jesus Luzardo tossed five scoreless innings for the third straight start (see below), allowing two hits and one walk while striking out five.
The Missions, who snapped a six-game losing streak when they took the series opener Thursday (a streak in which they lost the first half pennant race to Corpus Christi), improved to 3-2 in the second half while the 'Hounds (now 1-10 in their last 11) fell to 0-5 to open the second half.
Notables
In his last three starts, Jesus Luzardo (the Oakland A's top pitching prospect) has gone scoreless 15.0 innings, allowing eight hits and three walks while striking out 14. Over his last four starts, the left-hander has allowed one run (earned) on 11 hits, walking three and striking out 22 over 20.0 innings (a 0.45 ERA and 0.70 WHIP).
Austin Allen is hitting exactly .500 in the season series (19 games) versus the RockHounds (31-for-62), including 14 doubles and 10 RBI.
Richie Martin (1-for-4) has reached base in six straight, with hits in 5-of-the-6 (7-26, .269).
Brett Siddall (1-for-3) is hitting .333 (7-for-21) in his last seven games.
Eli White (1-for-3 walk) reached base twice and has now been on base in 24-of-27 games (32-100, .320). In Saturday night's game he reached on a 10-pitch at bat in the first (single to center in an at-bat that (started 0-2) and a 12-pitch walk in the ninth … a total of 22 pitches in the two plate appearances.
Since returning from (Advanced-A) Stockton, Skye Bolt (1-for-3) has reached base in all six games (with hits in five). After hitting .133 in 11 games to open the season, Skye is 5-for-19 (.263) in his second stint with the 'Hounds with five walks for a .417 OBP.
Next Game
Sunday, June 24 vs. San Antonio Missions
Nelson Wolff Stadium San Antonio, Texas
First pitch 2:05 p.m.    NewsTalk 550 with Bob Hards ... airtime 2:00 p.m.
- Final of a four-game series and road trip
Probable Starters
SA: Cal Quantrill       (RH, 6-3, 4.14)
RH: Brian Howard    (RH, 1^st appearance)
Next at Security Bank Ballpark
2018 Texas League All-Star Game
Tuesday, June 26
Gates Open at 4:15
Home Run Derby at 5:55
First Pitch at 7:15
- Radio: NewsTalk 550 with Bob Hards ... airtime 7:00 p.m.