Hollis Extends Hitting Streak to 11 Games as Missions Drop Third in a Row 

SAN ANTONIO – For the second consecutive night, the San Antonio Missions had an early lead before giving in to a late Midland comeback. The Missions held a 5-1 lead after the top of the sixth inning. Midland fought back with runs in the sixth and eighth innings before scoring three runs and walking it off in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Henry Henry was the starting pitcher for the San Antonio Missions. Thursday night was his 26th appearance and second start of the season. The right-hander had to pitch out of a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the first inning. Henry walked the lead-off batter, Brett Harris, before Marty Bechina reached base on a fielder’s choice. With one out and Bechina on first, he stole second base. Henry issued back-to-back walks Kyle McCann and JJ Schwarz. He left the runners stranded after recording a strikeout and a fly out.

Jeff Criswell was the starting pitcher for the Midland RockHounds. After two scoreless innings, he allowed the first run of the game in the top of the third inning. Thomas Milone started off the inning with a base hit and Ripken Reyes drew a walk. Kelvin Melean advanced the runners with a sacrifice bunt. Connor Hollis drove in Milone with a groundout to shortstop. The Missions gained a 1-0 lead.

San Antonio tripled their lead in the top of the fourth inning. With one out in the frame, Yorman Rodriguez singled before advancing to second base on a passed ball. Webster Rivas drew a walk to put two runners on base. With two outs in the inning, Milone hit a single to center field to score Rodriguez. On the play, Rivas came around to score after a throw from center fielder Marty Bechina went out of play. The Missions improved their lead to 3-0.

Midland plated their first run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Devin Foyle started off the inning with a base hit. William Simoneit drove in Foyle with a double to left field. After issuing a walk to Shane Selman, Henry was replaced on the mound by Felix Minjarez. The right-hander left those two runners stranded after recording a pop out and a strikeout. Midland cut the deficit to 3-1.

The Missions got the run back in the top of the fifth inning. Facing Zach Plunkett, Hollis hit a single to right field to extend his hitting streak to 11 games. After retiring the next two batters, Rodriguez and Rivas hit back-to-back singles and Hollis came around to score. The Missions improved their lead to 4-1.

San Antonio made it a four-run game in the top of the sixth inning. Milone started off the inning with a base hit before Reyes bounced into a double play. Melean extended the inning with a double to left field. Nick Highberger replaced Plunkett following the double. The right-hander allowed a base hit to Hollis which allowed Melean to score. It was a 5-1 Missions advantage.

Midland plated their second run of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning. William Simoneit began the inning with a base hit and Shane Selman was hit by a pitch. Valenzuela grounded out and advanced both runners into scoring position. Brett Harris grounded out and Simoneit came in to score. The RockHounds trailed 5-2.

The comeback attempt continued for Midland in the bottom of the eighth inning. Facing Jose Quezada, Selman was hit by a pitch with one out in the inning. Valenzuela struck out swinging and a throwing error from Rivas allowed Selman to advance to second base. Harris hit a single to center field to score Selman. Quezada was replaced by Angel Felipe following the RBI single. The Missions had a 5-3 lead.

Felipe returned to the mound for the bottom of the ninth inning. Midland completed the comeback attempt for the walk-off victory. McCann began the inning with a base hit and Schwarz doubled. After striking out the next batter, Felipe issued a walk to Foyle to load the bases. Simoneit hit a base hit to score McCann. Selman drove in the game-tying and game-winning runs with a line drive to center field.

*Post-Game Notes *

• With the loss, San Antonio falls to 48-43 (overall), 10-14 (2nd half) on the season

• Connor Hollis extends his hitting streak to 11 games (career high) and on-base streak to 18 games

• 4th walk-off loss of the season

• Kevin Kopps (#13 Padres prospect): DNP

• Reggie Lawson (#16 Padres prospect): DNP

• Tirso Ornelas (#22 Padres prospect): 1-5, 3B, K

The San Antonio Missions will continue their six-game series against the Midland RockHounds on Friday, July 29th. Left-hander Ben Krauth (0-1, 6.97) is scheduled to pitch for the Missions. Right-hander Jack Cushing (6-2, 3.41) is scheduled to pitch for the RockHounds. First pitch is expected at 7:00 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.