Missions Deliver in Clutch Time for 6-2 Win

SAN ANTONIO (Aug. 7, 2026) — The San Antonio Missions (16-21) outlasted the Springfield Cardinals (24-13) in a back-and-forth affair with four clutch hits to score four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to emerge victorious over the Cardinals 6-2.

Missions' starter Eric Yost closed out the opening frame with just seven pitches while striking out top Springfield prospect Rainiel Rodriguez and Josiah Ragsdale.

The Missions scored the first run of the night after Cardinals starter Tanner Franklin dished out a free pass to Carson Tucker, and Tirso Ornelas advanced to first base after a catcher interference. Jack Costello smacked a fly ball to center field that squeaked by the glove of Tai Peete for an RBI single before the end of the first inning.

Franklin shutdown the Missions order in his next turn with three consecutive K’s. Ornelas disrupted Franklin’s rhythm in the bottom of third with a base hit. Braedon Karpathios extended the Missions’ lead at the plate with a two-out double to score Ornelas.

Yost continued his momentum on the mound throughout the night with two pickoffs and five strikeouts in five innings but surrendered a no doubt solo blast to Rodriguez that made its way to the left field berm. Yost reached the start of the seventh inning looking to set a new season high in innings but quickly ran into trouble after a fielding error allowed Jack Gurevitch to reach safely. Deniel Ortiz knocked in a base hit and Won-Bin Cho was given a free pass as the Cardinals surrounded Yost with no outs.

Tucker Musgrove started his relief of Yost with a strikeout. A pivotal moment in the contest followed as what was ruled an initial strikeout of Zach Levenson was overturned into a hit-by-pitch which scored the game-tying run. Missions manager Chris Tremie disagreed with the call and engaged in an animated debate that resulted in Tremie being tossed. Amidst the chaos, Musgrove managed to remain composed and escape the inning, leaving ducks on the pond for Springfield with the game tied.

Chei-Wen Lin delivered for the Cardinals by retiring six Missions in a row while mixing in four punchouts, but the Missions' heart of the order caught fire in clutch time to retake the lead. Jake Cunningham was walked and advanced to second after a wild pitch from Lin. Karpathios grabbed his second RBI double to get The Wolff crowd rocking and advanced to third base after a Costello groundout. Albert Fabian, Luis Verdugo and Wyatt Hoffman hammered a single and back-to-back doubles to score three more runs for San Antonio as their lead ballooned 6-2.

Josh Mallitz set down the Springfield order in the eighth and ninth with consecutive 1-2-3 innings to slam the door on a 6-2 San Antonio win.

Up Next:

Color the ballpark bright for Crayola Night! Bring your creativity and enjoy a colorful evening of family fun and Missions baseball. The Missions will wear special Crayola-themed jerseys, which will be auctioned off after the game. Stick around after the game as we paint the sky with a colorful fireworks show presented by Methodist Healthcare. Catch all the action on Country Legends KKYX, 680 AM, 104.9 FM and kkyx.com. Tickets are available at samissions.com or by calling 210-675-7275.

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The San Antonio Missions are the Double-A affiliate for the San Diego Padres. The Missions were established in 1888 and have brought affordable family fun to the Alamo City for more than 120 seasons. The 13-time Texas League champions play their home games at Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium. For more information and tickets, call 210-675-7275 or visit samissions.com.