Missions Earn the Series Split
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS (JULY 16, 2014) - The San Antonio Missions struck for four runs in the first three innings and held off the Frisco RoughRiders for a 4-2 win on Wednesday night and split the four-game series at Wolff Stadium.
Alec Asher (7-9) suffered his third straight loss on the mound for the RoughRiders. The Texas Rangers Minor League Pitcher of the Month in June tossed 5 2/3 innings and allowed four runs on six hits with two walks and five strikeouts.
Initially, it appeared Asher might not last on the hill until the sixth inning. An arduous first frame saw Asher face seven batters, the first six of whom reached first base safely. Catcher Tomás Telis aided his battery mate when he threw out a stealing Cory Spangenberg at second base, but after a pair of walks, Asher faced a bases loaded scenario with one out.
A single to shallow center from Austin Hedges plated a run and an RBI fielder's choice by Yeison Asencio drove in another and the Missions grabbed an early 2-0 lead.
Asher retired the side consecutively on strikes in the second, but was plagued by a familiar faux pas in the third.
With a runner on first and nobody out, Jason Hagerty took Asher deep for his tenth long ball of the season and the 15th allowed by the right-hander in 2014.
The RoughRiders finally got to opposing starter Bryce Morrow (2-2) in the fourth when Trever Adams led off the inning with a solo home run to the opposite field. The blast gives Adams ten for the season, tied for the team lead with Joey Gallo.
Morrow, however, retired the side in succession after Adams' shot and did not blink again until the sixth when he conceded three straight singles to begin the inning.
Field manager Rich Dauer hailed Jeff Ibarra out of the bullpen, and although J.T. Wise singled home Telis to make the score 4-2, the southpaw reliever stemmed the tide at just one run.
Ibarra's effort likely saved the win for Morrow, who finished with two runs allowed on seven hits with no walks and six strikeouts in his first career appearance against the 'Riders.
It was Luis De La Cruz who saved the game for the Missions as he faced the minimum in the ninth and struck out Odubel Herrera to end the ballgame.
With the loss, Frisco (53-41; 13-12) returns to Dr Pepper Ballpark on a two-game losing skid, but still earns its first four-game split at Wolff Stadium of the year.
San Antonio (49-47; 13-13) has won two in a row on the heels of a seven-game slide. The Missions also square the season series with Frisco at ten wins apiece.
The 'Riders begin a four-game series at Dr Pepper Ballpark against the Corpus Christi Hooks on Thursday, July 17 at 7:05 p.m. CDT. For tickets to see the 'Riders in 2014, call 972-731-9200, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.ridersbaseball.com.