Big Inning Leads Missions to Victory

San Antonio used a seven-run seventh inning to rally past Midland 8-6 Friday night in front of 5,591 at Wolff Stadium

Friday night's contest got off to a classic Wolff Stadium start, with San Antonio's Justin Hancock and Midland's Chris Jensen matching zeroes through five innings.

In the top of the sixth, the RockHounds finally broke through, taking a 2-0 lead on consecutive run-scoring hits by Matt Olson and Chad Pinder.

San Antonio got one back off Jensen in the bottom of the sixth courtesy of a Casey McElroy sacrifice fly. The Missions nearly tied the game when next batter, Hunter Renfroe singled to left center. However, left fielder Chad Oberacker kept the score 2-1 when he gunned out Trea Turner at the plate.

An inning later, San Antonio erupted for seven runs on eight hits off Jensen (3-1) and reliever Bobby Wahl (allowed five of the runs) to open up a commanding 8-2 lead. Four of the eight hits were of the extra-base variety: a Luis Domoromo triple (his first extra-base hit of season) and doubles by Travis Jankowski, Renfroe and Diego Goris. Both the run and hit totals in the seventh set single-inning season highs for San Antonio. 

The big rally made a winner out of Hancock, who allowed just two runs on six hits and one walk, while fanning four over a career-high, tying seven strong innings. Hancock (2-1) threw 60 of his 95 pitches for strikes.

Midland made things interesting late, getting an Oberacker RBI double in the eighth and three more runs in the ninth off reliever Dennis O'Grady. Fortunately for the Missions, Luis De La Cruz was able to stop the comeback attempt, recording the game's final three outs for his first save of the season.

San Antonio (8-13) resumes its four-game series against Midland (11-10) Saturday, with first pitch slated for 7:05 PM. Colin Rea (0-1, 1.29) will get the ball for the Missions, while the RockHounds counter with fellow righty Nate Long (0-0, 1.38). Following the game there will be a special fireworks extravaganza courtesy of Bud Light.

Notes: San Antonio's season-high 15 hits included multi-hit performances from five different players.