A 7th Inning Homer from Michael Curry Carries the Missions Past the Hooks 

SAN ANTONIO – The Missions used stellar pitching and timely hitting to defeat the Corpus Christi Hooks Friday night. MacKenzie Gore struck out eight batters in four innings of work. Michael Curry hit a solo home run in the seventh inning followed by a two-run home run from Eguy Rosario in the eighth inning. The Missions defeat the Hooks by a final score of 4-1.

MacKenzie Gore made his second start since joining the Missions. He cruised through the first inning but ran into some trouble in the second inning. Alex McKenna hit a one-out double to put a runner into scoring position. Matthew Barefoot drew a walk to place two runners on base. After a mound visit, Gore recorded a strike out and a pop out to end the threat.

The San Antonio Missions scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the second inning. The offense loaded the bases with one out. Kyle Overstreet led off the inning with a base hit before advancing to second base on a passed ball. After a fly out, Michael Curry drew a walk and Agustin Ruiz hit a single. Kelvin Melean struck out swinging. On a 2-2 count, Chandler Seagle was hit by a pitch to score Overstreet. With the bases still loaded, Esteury Ruiz grounded out to end the threat. San Antonio had an early 1-0 lead.

Gore faced another tough situation in the top of the third inning, but this time he allowed a run to score. After striking out the lead-off batter, Corey Julks hit a single. Julks stole second base and then advanced to third on a throwing error from Seagle. Gore allowed a walk to Joe Perez which placed runners on the corners with one out. He bounced back to strike out Scott Schreiber for out number two. David Hensley drove in Julks with an RBI single to center field.

The young left-hander faced more trouble in the top of the fourth inning. Barefoot began the inning by reaching base on a fielding error from Rosario. The error allowed Barefoot to reach second base. Gore surrendered a walk to Luke Berryhill. With two on and no outs, he struck out Grae Kessinger and Cesar Salazar. He left the runners stranded after getting Julks to fly out to left field. It was still a 1-1 ballgame.

After four innings of work, MacKenzie Gore was replaced by Carlos Belen. The Padres prospect struck out eight batters while allowing one earned run, three walks, and three hits.

Carlos Belen contributed with two scoreless innings in relief of Gore. James Reeves faced a tough situation in the top of the seventh inning. He allowed a walk to Kessinger and allowed a hit by pitch to Salazar. On a double steal, Kessinger was thrown out trying to steal third base and Salazar stole second base. After a walk to Julks, Salazar was thrown out trying to steal third base as well. With a runner on first and two outs, Reeves struck out Perez to end the inning with no runs allowed.

The Missions used the long ball to regain the lead in the bottom of the seventh inning. With one down in the inning, Michael Curry launched a fly ball over the left field wall for a solo home run. His eighth long ball of the season gave the Missions a 2-1 lead.

San Antonio used the long ball once again in the eighth inning to improve their lead. Esteury Ruiz hit a one-out double. After a fly out from Ethan Skender, Rosario lifted a fly ball over the left field wall for a two-run homer. His 12th long ball of the season made it a 4-1 Missions lead.

Post-Game Notes

• With the win, San Antonio improves to 57-61 on the season
• MacKenzie Gore (#4 Padres prospect, #57 MLB): 4.0 IP, 3 H, 3 BB, ER, 8 K
• Eguy Rosario (#15 Padres prospect): 1-4, HR, R, 2 RBI, 2 K, 2 E
• Agustin Ruiz (#27 Padres prospect): 1-3

The San Antonio Missions continue their six-game series with the Corpus Christi Hooks on Saturday, September 18th. Right-hander Pedro Avila (1-3, 4.20) is scheduled to start for San Antonio. Right-hander Angel Macuare (2-1, 1.80) is scheduled to pitch for the Hooks. First pitch will be at 7:05 p.m.

The San Antonio Missions are the Double-A affiliate for the San Diego Padres. This is the 115th professional season for the San Antonio Missions. Tickets are on sale now at the Wolff Stadium Box Office or online at samissions.com. Season seat memberships are available now by calling 210-675-PARK (7275).

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