Missions Rally in the 7th for 2-1 Win Over Frisco
In the opener of an eight-game homestand, the Missions used a two-run, seventh-inning rally to edge the RoughRiders 2-1.
The game featured a tremendous pitching duel between San Antonio's Matt Wisler and Frisco's Tyler Tufts.
The Missions had no answers for Tufts, who allowed just one hit and one walk over five scoreless innings. Wisler was more than up to the challenge, allowing just one run on three hits in his six innings. The right-hander's only mistake was a leadoff homer by catcher Tomas Telis in the fifth.
The Missions wasted a golden opportunity to tie the game in the bottom of the sixth, loading the bases with just one out against reliever Phil Klein. After Klein struck out Anthony Contreras for the second out, he quickly fell behind Jake Blackwood, 2-0. His third pitch also sailed high, but Telis fired over to first, picking off Kalian Sams for the final out of the frame.
San Antonio finally broke though an inning later. Blackwood led off the inning with a single to left off Richard Bleier (0-2). After A.J. Kirby-Jones reached on an error, catcher Rocky Gale tied the game with an RBI single up the middle. Two batters later, Rico Noel put the Missions up for good with an RBI single into left.
A home crowd of 3,122 had to sweat out the top of the ninth, when the RoughRiders loaded the bases with just one out on Missions' closer Kevin Quackenbush. Thankfully, the hard-throwing, right-hander settled down, striking out Telis and then getting Odubel Herrera to hit into a game-ending pop-out.
Reliever Josh Geer (2-2) got the win with a scoreless seventh. Quackenbush's save was his 11th of the season, which leads the Texas League.
San Antonio (31-25) and Frisco (32-25) will resume their four-game series Wednesday on Port San Antonio Night at Wolff Stadium. Donn Roach (4-4, 4.64) will take the ball for the Missions, who will have a chance to pass the 'Riders in the South Division standings. Frisco will counter with right-hander Neil Ramirez (5-2, 3.57). First pitch is slated for 7:05 PM.
Notes: Reymond Fuentes' sixth-inning walk extended his on-base streak to 26 games, the second longest streak in the TL this season. Blackwood finished the game 1-for-4, extending his home hit-streak to eight games. Since April 24th, San Antonio has the 2nd best record in the TL at 23-15. The Missions are 10-2 in their last 12 home games.