San Antonio dropped its first home series since late April following a 3-0 loss to Arkansas Friday night in front of 5,940 at Wolff Stadium.The Missions entered Friday's finale looking to take their seventh home series victory of the season. The club had not lost a home series since dropping
San Antonio dropped its first home series since late April following a 3-0 loss to Arkansas Friday night in front of 5,940 at Wolff Stadium.
The Missions entered Friday's finale looking to take their seventh home series victory of the season. The club had not lost a home series since dropping three-of-four to Frisco from April 24-27.
San Antonio was facing lefty Anthony Misiewicz, who was making just his second start at the Double-A level. The Mt. Clemens, MI native was up to the task of slowing down the first-place Missions. Misiewicz (1-0) looked extremely sharp, allowing just one hit and two walks, while striking out six over seven impressive innings. The hurler was very efficient Friday night, tossing 53 of his 85 pitches for strikes.
Misiewicz received the only run he would need in the first as the Travs took a 1-0 lead on Brett Kennedy courtesy of a Dario Pizzano RBI-groundout.
Arkansas capped the game's scoring in the fourth with a Marcus Littlewood two-out, two-run single to right center. In defeat, Kennedy (7-5) was very solid, punching out eight against just one walk over six innings. The eight strikeouts matched a season high for Kennedy, who lost at The Wolff for the first time since May 12 vs. Frisco.
The bullpen duo of Kyle McGrath and Yimmi Brasoban kept the Travs off the board over the final three innings.
Unfortunately for the Missions, the bats never got going. San Antonio finished with just two hits in the contest as relievers Tyler Knigge and Darin Gillies (1st save) each tossed scoreless frames to seal the Arkansas (7-8, 39-46) victory.
San Antonio (9-6, 50-35) resumes its homestand Saturday at 7:05 PM with the first of three against Northwest Arkansas (8-7, 47-38). Lefty Eric Lauer (1-0, 0.00), San Diego's No. 8 prospect according to MLB.com, will get the ball for the Missions in his first Double-A home start. The Naturals will counter with right-hander Ashton Goudeau (3-7, 5.00). Following the game there will be a special fireworks show courtesy of Central Catholic High School.
