Springfield Claims 5-2 Win over San Antonio in Series Opener

SAN ANTONIO (Aug. 4, 2026) — The San Antonio Missions (14-20) got on the board first in the opening frame, but the Springfield Cardinals (23-11) utilized a strong start from Blake Aita and a homer from Jesus Baez to claim a series-opening 5-2 win.

Braedon Karpathios doubled home Tirso Ornelas in the first to put the Missions up early. However, the Cardinals answered right back in the second against Missions starter Matthew Watson as Tai Peete singled in a run in his Double-A debut. Springfield’s offense continued to strike in the third when a Deniel Ortiz RBI single and Zach Levenson run-scoring double gave them a 3-1 advantage. Watson did leave the bases loaded to keep it just a two-run game.

Aita dominated for most of the game, at one point retiring nine straight Missions. He scattered five hits across 6.1 innings while allowing that lone first inning run.

The Missions’ bullpen did an excellent job holding the Cardinals down after Watson exited. Bernard Jose tossed two scoreless innings before Tucker Musgrove had a clean inning. Former big leaguer Jose Leclerc ran into some issues in the eighth as Baez clobbered a two-run homer to extend Springfield’s advantage to 5-1.

San Antonio threatened in the bottom of the eighth when Carson Tucker drove home Brendan Durfee with a single, making it 5-2 Springfield. The Missions then loaded the bases against Jack Findlay, but Findlay struck out Ryan Jackson to extinguish the threat.

Sadrac Franco kept it a three-run deficit, giving San Antonio one last chance in the ninth, but Darlin Saladin slammed the door and finished Springfield’s 5-2 victory.

Up Next:

The Missions continue their six-game series against the Springfield Cardinals tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. It is Bark in the Park, presented by North Park Subaru, so dogs can come out to the ballpark with their humans! Catch all the action on Country Legends KKYX, 680 AM, 104.9 FM and kkyx.com.

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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.