Reyes’ 7th Inning Double Propels the Missions to 4-3 Victory 

SAN ANTONIO – For the third consecutive night, the Missions held a one-run lead heading into the ninth inning. After scoring three runs in the first inning, Midland fought back to tie the game after five innings of play. Ripken Reyes provided the game-winning hit for the Missions with an RBI double in the top of the seventh inning. With a great performance from the bullpen, San Antonio secured their second straight win.

Throughout the majority of this series, the Missions found themselves scoring first and Saturday night was no different. Facing David Leal, San Antonio plated three runs in the top of the first inning. With one out in the inning, Tirso Ornelas and Domingo Leyba hit back-to-back singles. Yorman Rodriguez drove in both runs with a double to left field. Webster Rivas drove in Rodriguez with a double to center field. The Missions took an early 3-0 lead.

For an undisclosed reason, Leyba did not return to the field in the bottom half of the first inning. Instead, Connor Kaiser entered the game at shortstop.

Brandon Komar was the starting pitcher for the Missions. After a scoreless first inning, Midland plated their first run of the game in the bottom of the second inning. Marty Bechina was hit by a pitch to lead-off the inning. William Simoneit followed that up with a base hit. Shane Selman drove in Bechina with a single to left field. The Missions had a 3-1 lead after two innings of play.

Midland cut the deficit to one run in the bottom of the third inning. Kyle McCann began the inning with a base hit. After striking out Logan Davidson, McCann stole second base and advanced to third on a throwing error from Rodriguez. He came around to score on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Brett Harris. It was a 3-2 Missions lead.

The RockHounds completed the comeback and tied the game in the bottom of the fifth inning. After retiring the first batter of the inning, Davidson hit a solo home run to left-center field. His 13th long ball of the season made it a 3-3 ballgame.

San Antonio regained the lead in the top of the seventh inning. Facing Michael Danielak, Kelvin Melean hit a single to center field for his second hit of the game. Wyatt Ulrich grounded into a force out with Melean out at second base and Ulrich safe at first. Ripken Reyes drove in Ulrich with a double down the right field line. His sixth RBI of the season made it a 4-3 Missions lead.

Komar was replaced by Fred Schlichtholz in the bottom of the seventh inning. Saturday night was the second quality start for Komar with the other coming against Midland on June 29th.

Despite allowing two base hits, Schlichtholz struck out the side and kept Midland off the board in the seventh inning. Carlos Belen struck out two batters in a scoreless eighth inning of work. Jose Quezada, who led the Missions in saves last season, picked up his first save this season with a scoreless ninth inning.

*Post-Game Notes *

• With the win, San Antonio improves to 50-43 (overall), 12-14 (2nd half) on the season

• Brandon Komar: W, 6.0 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K (2nd Quality Start of the season)

• Kevin Kopps (#13 Padres prospect): DNP

• Reggie Lawson (#16 Padres prospect): DNP

• Tirso Ornelas (#22 Padres prospect): 2-4, R

The San Antonio Missions will wrap-up their six-game series against the Midland RockHounds on Sunday, July 31st. Right-hander Reggie Lawson (4-5, 5.03) is scheduled to pitch for the Missions. Right-hander Colin Peluse (8-3, 5.64) is scheduled to pitch for the RockHounds. First pitch is expected at 2:00 p.m. from Momentum Bank Ballpark.

The San Antonio Missions are the Double-A affiliate for the San Diego Padres. This is the 120th professional season for the San Antonio Missions. Playoff tickets for September 22nd are available now. Single game tickets are available now and can be purchased online or at the 1st Base Box Office. Season seat memberships are available now. For more information call 210-675-PARK (7275) or visit samissions.com.