Kelly Steers Missions to Another Win Over Hooks

June 11, 2017

Missions Win

Michael Kelly delivered another dominant outing in leading San Antonio to a 4-2 win over Corpus Christi Sunday afternoon at Wolff Stadium.
Following a key victory in Saturday night's opener, the Missions had the right man on the bump Sunday to keep their first half title push humming. In his previous seven starts, Kelly had allowed just nine earned runs over 43 innings. One of those outings came against the Hooks on May 15 at The Wolff, where Kelly surrendered just one hit over eight shutout innings in leading the Missions to a 4-0 win.
The Boynton Beach, FL native gave the Wolff Stadium crowd a terrific sequel performance on Sunday. In seven and third innings, Kelly allowed just one unearned run on three hits and two walks, while striking out six. At one point, Kelly (6-1) retired 13 straight Hooks. Corpus Christi's run came after Kelly's departure in the eighth when Arturo Michelena slapped an RBI single to left off Eric Yardley.
Kelly would get an early lead in the second courtesy of a Nick Torres RBI single to right off lefty Alex Winkelman. In the fifth, San Antonio would knock out Winkelman (0-1) with a three-run rally capped by José Rondón's two-RBI double to left center.
The Hooks made things interesting in the ninth, however, by loading the bases with nobody out against lefty Brad Wieck, who entered for Yardley following J.D. Davis' leadoff single. After a slow start to his appearance, Wieck would induce a Garrett Stubbs double play, which scored Davis to trim the Hooks' deficit to two. With Jon Singleton (walk) on third, Wieck closed the door on Corpus Christi by striking out pinch hitter Jamie Ritchie. It was Wieck's third save of the season.
The win, coupled with Midland's 11-5 loss to Frisco, increased San Antonio's South Division lead to three games with just eight left in the half.
San Antonio (35-27) resumes its four-game series with Corpus Christi (30-32) Monday on H-E-B Family Night presented by ESPN Radio 1250 AM/94.5 FM. Kyle Lloyd will get the ball for the Missions in his first start since rejoining the club from Triple-A El Paso. Corpus Christi will counter with fellow righty Rogelio Armenteros (2-2, 1.60). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM.