Total Turnaround

Sometimes when things aren't going your way, all it takes is one break to get it all turned around. The Missions took advantage of an early reversed home run call and got their most complete performance of the young season, shutting out a potent Frisco team with a dominant start from one of their aces and contributions from all over the lineup in a 4-0 triumph at Wolff Stadium Monday night.

A night after being blanked themselves, the Missions were clearly the better team on both sides of the ball, allowing only five hits while scratching out 10 hits and walking eight times. It was their first shutout of 2009 after recording a league-high 20 last season.

Will Inman looked like the pitcher he was in 2008 when he set the pace in the Texas League with 140 strikeouts. He fanned a season-high seven batters over 6.0 shutout innings, allowing just four hits and a walk. It marked his highest strikeout total since he achieved the same mark in back-to-back starts last August 6th against Springfield and August 11th against Arkansas.

Inman chalked his success up to his preparation between starts.

"I felt really good coming into the game. "I worked out with (Padres minor league pitching coordinator) Mike Couchee, doing drills the other day to speed my arm up, and it worked out real well."

One crucial play early in the game seemed to turn the tide for San Antonio. RoughRiders' designated hitter Chad Tracy skied a deep fly ball over the 310 mark, right along the foul line with one on and one out in the first. The shot was initially ruled a home run, but Missions manager Terry Kennedy came out to argue immediately and the call was overturned without much counter-argument from Frisco skipper Mike Micucci. Will Inman got Tracy to line to third to end the threat, keeping the game scoreless.

The Missions threatened in every inning against RoughRiders' starter and reigning Texas League Pitcher of the Week Kasey Kiker, but largely failed to capitalize. They had baserunners in all five innings, and multiple baserunners in four of the five, but managed only two runs, going 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position. Only Keoni Ruth's bases-loaded hit-by-pitch and Luis Durango's bases-loaded walk plated any runs for the home side. The home side left the bases loaded in the fourth and eighth innings and left a season-high 12 runners on base in all.

The RoughRiders only real threat came in the eighth inning. Mike DeMark got two quick outs before walking slugger Justin Smoak on a 3-2 pitch. Chad Tracy followed with a slow chopper to Keoni Ruth who rushed the throw, pulling first baseman Craig Cooper off the bag. Manny Pina then hit a line single to right to load the bases, chasing DeMark. But John Hudgins came on to strike out Johnny Wittleman on three pitches to end the threat.

Evan Scribner struck out the side to end the night in style for the Missions. San Antonio pitching combined for a season-best 12 punchouts in the victory.

WP: Inman (1-1); LP: Kiker (1-1); HR: Johnston (2)