Seventh Inning Costly for Missions in Opener

July 16, 2017

Midland used a five-run seventh inning to roll to a 7-1 victory Sunday night at Wolff Stadium, snapping San Antonio's six-game win streak.
The RockHounds wasted little time plating the game's first run in Sunday's series opener with a two-out rally against Joey Lucchesi. The Mission lefty retired both Jordan Tarsovich and B.J. Boyd to begin his night, but Jermaine Curtis' double down the right-field line kept the frame alive. That brought up cleanup man Viosergy Rosa, who gave Midland a 1-0 lead with a single to left center.
In the bottom of the fourth, the RockHounds pushed their lead to 2-0 against Lucchesi with a J.P. Sportman single to right.
Lucchesi (2-1) kept his club in the contest, allowing just five hits and two walks, while striking out four over six and a third innings. The Newark, CA native departed with one on and one out in the seventh and San Antonio still trailing by just two. Unfortunately for the Missions, Lucchesi's replacement, César Vargas did not fare as well. Midland jumped the righty for six hits in the inning, pushing its two-run lead to seven in the process.
San Antonio spoiled the shutout in the ninth against reliever Sam Bragg when catcher Webster Rivas drove in Josh Naylor with a single to right.
Winning starter Casey Meisner (1-3) was very effective Sunday, allowing just four hits and one walk, while striking out four over five scoreless innings.
San Antonio (15-8, 56-37) continues its four-game series with Midland (7-16, 42-51) Monday on H-E-B Family Night presented by ESPN Radio 1250 AM/94.5 FM. Fans can purchase four box seats for just $24 at the Missions' box office with a receipt from H-E-B. Chris Huffman (4-2, 2.63) will get the ball Monday night for San Antonio, while Midland counters with fellow righty Dustin Hurlbutt (1-1, 2.30). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM.