Missions Fall to Springfield Despite Skender’s Three-RBI Night 

SAN ANTONIO – Friday night’s matchup between the San Antonio Missions and Springfield Cardinals marked the fourth game of their six-game set. Following their win on Thursday, Springfield got out to a 5-0 lead against the Missions. The Missions never backed down and made it a 6-5 ballgame in the eighth inning. Despite putting the tying run on base in the ninth inning, the Cardinals held on for a 6-5 victory.

Thomas Eshelman was the starting pitcher for the San Antonio Missions. The veteran right-hander allowed Springfield to take the lead in the bottom of the first inning. With one out in the frame, Masyn Winn and Jorden Walker hit back-to-back singles. Brady Whalen drove in Winn with a ground-rule double to center field. Eshelman left the other two runners stranded after striking out Nick Raposo and getting Nick Dunn to line out. Springfield took a 1-0 lead.

The Cardinals plated their second run of the game in the bottom of the second inning. Chandler Redmond drew a leadoff walk and Errol Robinson struck out for the first out of the frame. Jonah Davis drew a walk to put two runners on base. Mike Antico drove in Redmond with a single to center field. Springfield improved their lead to 2-0.

Gordon Graceffo was the starting pitcher for the Springfield Cardinals. After two scoreless innings, the Missions had their first runner in scoring position during the third inning. With one out, Joshua Mears hit a double to left field. However, he was left stranded after Doming Leyba flew out and Tirso Ornelas grounded out.

Springfield expanded their lead in the fourth inning with two runs on three hits. Chandler Redmond began the inning with a base hit but was then thrown out trying to steal second base. Robinson singled for their second hit of the inning. Jonah Davis hit a two-run home run to right field. His eighth long ball of the season made it a 4-0 lead for Springfield.

The Cardinals made it a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Whalen hit a one-out single and advanced to second base on a balk from Eshelman. Nick Raposo drove in Whalen with a single to left-center field. That was the end of the night for Eshelman as he was replaced by Edwuin Bencomo.

San Antonio scored their first runs of the game in the top of the seventh inning as they plated three runs on four hits. Facing Michael YaSenka, Yorman Rodriguez doubled to start the inning. After striking out Webster Rivas, Kelvin Melean singled and put Rodriguez at third base. Ethan Skender drove him in with a base hit to left-center field. Jorge Ona grounded out and moved both runners into scoring position. Mears drove in Melean and Skender with a base hit to left-center field. The Missions cut the deficit to 5-3.

Springfield added an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh inning. After recording the first two outs of the inning, Bencomo allowed a double to Raposo. Dunn drove in Raposo with a single to right-center field. This made it a 6-3 ballgame and Bencomo was replaced on the mound by Osvaldo Hernandez.

San Antonio’s comeback attempt continued in the eighth inning as they plated two more runs on just one hit. Facing Connor Lunn, Ornelas began the inning by drawing a walk. Juan Fernandez reached base on a fielding error as Walker failed to catch a fly ball in right field. With two runners in scoring position, Rodriguez drew a walk to load the bases with no outs. Lunn struck out the next two batters before giving up a two-run single to Skender. On the play, Skender was tagged out trying to advance to second base. The Missions cut the deficit to 6-5.

Springfield threatened to increase their lead in the bottom half of the eighth inning. After retiring the first two batters, Hernandez issued back-to-back walks to Antico and Winn. Following the walk to Winn, Hernandez left the game with an apparent leg injury and was replaced by Grant Gavin. The Cardinals executed a double steal to put both runners in scoring position. Gavin left both runners stranded as Walker grounded out to end the inning.

The Missions had a chance to tie or take the lead in the top of the ninth inning. Andre Granillo entered the game in hopes of converting the save. After retiring the first two batters, Leyba singled to extend the inning. With the go-ahead run at the plate, Ornelas flew out to end the game.

*Post-Game Notes *

• With the loss, San Antonio falls to 28-33 (2nd half), 66-62 (overall) on the season

• Noel Vela (#11 Padres prospect): DNP

• Jackson Wolf (#14 Padres prospect): Scheduled to pitch on 9/10

• Joshua Mears (#15 Padres prospect): 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI, K

• Tirso Ornelas (#19 Padres prospect): 0-4, R, BB

• Kevin Kopps (#24 Padres prospect): DNP

• Alek Jacob (#25 Padres prospect): DNP

The San Antonio Missions will continue their six-game series with the Springfield Cardinals on Saturday, September 10th. Left-hander Jackson Wolf (Double-A Debut) is scheduled to pitch for the Missions. Right-hander Kyle Leahy (9-7, 5.58) is scheduled to pitch for the Cardinals. First pitch is expected at 6:05 p.m. from Hammons Field.

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.