Komar Fans Eight as Missions Take Series Finale in Springfield 

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Missions entered Sunday’s game with a chance to split the series against the Springfield Cardinals. With the help of a career best performance from Brandon Komar, as well as some timely offense, the Missions came out victorious. Komar punched out eight batters while allowing one run in 5.2 innings of work. His eight strikeouts are a new career high. Yorman Rodriguez hit a solo home run while the Missions scored three runs across the third and fourth innings. The Sunday evening final score was 4-1.

Edgar Escobar was the starting pitcher for the Springfield Cardinals. After retiring the first six Missions hitters, San Antonio put things together and took the lead in the third inning. Jorge Ona and Tyler Malone began the inning with back-to-back singles. Ripken Reyes loaded the bases after reaching base on a bunt single. Connor Hollis drew a walk which allowed Ona to score the game’s first run. Ethan Skender grounded into a double play and Malone was able to score the second run of the game. San Antonio gained a 2-0 advantage.

Brandon Komar was the starting pitcher for the San Antonio Missions. After two uneventful innings, the Cardinals had a chance to cut into the deficit in the third inning. Irving Lopez started off the inning with a base hit. After recording the first out, Masyn Winn reached base on a fielder’s choice with Lopez out at second base. Winn advanced to second on a missed catch error from Yorman Rodriguez. Brady Whalen drew a walk to put two runners on base with two outs. Komar struck out Matt Koperniak to end the inning.

San Antonio added their third run of the game in the top of the fourth inning. Kelvin Melean singled to start the inning. Escobar retired Joshua Mears before issuing a walk to Ona. Malone drove in Melean with a base hit to right field.

Springfield scored their first run of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning. Komar began the inning and allowed a single to Koperniak. The right-hander struck out the next two batters before being replaced by Fred Schlichtholz. The southpaw threw a wild pitch which allowed Koperniak to advance into scoring position. Chandler Redmond drove him in with a single to left field. Springfield trailed 3-1.

Komar set a new career high with eight strikeouts on Sunday evening. He recorded the win after allowing one run on four hits while issuing three walks.

The Missions used the long ball to add an insurance run in the eighth inning. Facing Domingo Robles, Rodriguez hit an opposite field home run. For Rodriguez, this was his 15th long ball of the season and it made the lead 4-1 for San Antonio.

Jordan Guerrero struck out the side during a scoreless seventh inning. Alek Jacob allowed one hit while striking out one batter in the eighth inning. Lake Bachar walked one batter while striking out two hitters during his fifth save conversion.

*Post-Game Notes *

• With the win, San Antonio improves to 29-34 (2nd half), 67-63 (overall) on the season

• Brandon Komar: W, 5.2 IP, 4 H, ER, 3 BB, 8 K (Career High)

• Noel Vela (#11 Padres prospect): DNP

• Jackson Wolf (#13 Padres prospect): DNP

• Joshua Mears (#14 Padres prospect): 1-4, K

• Tirso Ornelas (#18 Padres prospect): DNP

• Kevin Kopps (#23 Padres prospect): DNP

• Alek Jacob (#24 Padres prospect): Hold, 1.0 IP, H, K

The San Antonio Missions will have the day off on Monday, September 12th before returning home for their final homestand of the regular season. The Missions will host the Amarillo Sod Poodles for a six-game series beginning on Tuesday, September 13th. The pitching matchups have not yet been determined. First pitch for Tuesday’s game is expected at 7:05 p.m. from Nelson Wolff Stadium.

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 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.