Cards Clinch Series Behind Gomber

August 9, 2017

Springfield got a terrific start from Austin Gomber in its 2-0, series-clinching win over San Antonio Wednesday night at Wolff Stadium.
The middle game of a three-game set pitted a pair of top pitching prospects as Gomber (St. Louis' No. 15 according to MLB.com) squared off against San Antonio's Cal Quantrill (San Diego's No. 2).
San Antonio had a few cracks at the Springfield southpaw early on, beginning in the first when they left a pair of runners on base. The Missions wasted a golden opportunity in the third when their first three hitters of the inning singled to load the bases. However, Gomber settled down and escaped the huge threat by fanning Franmil Reyes and then getting Nick Torres to bang into an inning-ending double play.
The three hits to begin the third would be the only ones allowed over seven innings for Gomber, who struck out five and walked four.
Quantrill went toe-to-toe with Gomber (7-7) through five, allowing just three hits and no walks, while fanning three.
However, a defensive miscue proved costly for Quantrill in the sixth. After retiring Magneuris Sierra to begin the frame, Quantrill caught a bad break when next batter Oscar Mercado reached on a throwing error by the usually sure handed Luis Urías at short. Quantrill fanned Darren Seferina for the second out, but then walked both John Nogowski and Eliezer Álvarez to load the bases. Quantrill (1-3) was lifted for T.J. Weir, who allowed Anthony García to drive in the only two runs of the game with a single up the middle.
San Antonio had one more crack in the eighth, loading the bases with two outs against reliever Tyler Bray. Unfortunately, for the Missions, Bray escaped the threat when Torres bounced into a fielder's choice.
Rowan Wick retired the Missions in order in the ninth to notch his fifth save.
San Antonio (26-19, 67-48) wraps up its three-game series with Springfield (30-16, 65-51) Thursday on Mission Mitsubishi Dollar Night presented by News 4 San Antonio. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM. Jacob Nix (1-0, 3.60) will take the ball for the Missions in his first Double-A home start. The Cardinals will counter with fellow righty Zac Gallen (4-3, 3.38).