Asencio's Late hit Lifts Missions Past 'Hounds

San Antonio avoided a sweep with a thrilling, 6-4 win over Midland Monday night at Wolff Stadium.

The Missions, who entered Monday on a season-high, tying four-game losing streak, had to shuffle their lineup before the game when starter Devin Jones was ruled out due to the flu. Right-hander James Needy, pitching on short rest, gave his team a big lift, walking just one in three hitless innings.

Needy left with a 1-0 lead courtesy of a run-producing double play hit into by catcher Austin Hedges in the bottom of the second. After the 'Hounds tied the game at one in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Jefry Marte off reliever Jeff Ibarra, the Missions went back on the attack in their half of the inning.

A Rob Kral double and a Rymer Liriano walk opened the frame before an RBI single by first baseman Jason Hagerty put San Antonio up 2-1. The Missions pushed the lead to two when Hedges banged into another productive double play.

After Conner Crumbliss' RBI double in the fifth pulled the 'Hounds within one, the Missions upped their lead back to two an inning later with Bridger Hunt's run-scoring single to left.

However, Midland turned the game around in the seventh against reliever Luis De La Cruz, tying the game at four on a Dusty Coleman solo homer and a Crumbliss RBI triple. The RockHounds threatened to do more in the frame, loading the bases with just one out. Fortunately for San Antonio, De La Cruz and left-hander Frank Garces combined to get the final two outs, keeping the game tied.

Garces (1-1) retired Midland in order in the eighth, setting the stage for San Antonio's game-winning rally in the bottom of the inning.

Hagerty, who finished with a season-high, tying three hits, led off the frame with a double down the left-field line. After Hedges moved Hagerty to third with a fly out to right, Asencio singled an 0-2 pitch from Ryan Doolittle (0-1) into right field, giving the Missions a 5-4 lead. It was Asencio's first RBI since Opening Night at Springfield on April 3. Two batters later, Hunt pushed the lead to two when he hit into a run-producing force out.

Reliever Jerry Sullivan made sure the lead stood in the ninth, retiring Midland in order to earn his first Double-A save.

San Antonio (9-14) continues their eight-game homestand Tuesday with the first of four against the first-place Frisco RoughRiders (16-8). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM on $2 Tuesday presented by KCWX. RH Devin Jones (3-1, 4.29) will get the ball for the Missions, while the RoughRiders counter with LH Edwar Cabrera (1-0, 1.76).

Notes: San Antonio finished with a season-high, tying 12 hits. The six runs were the most scored by the Missions in a game since April 5 at Springfield.