Missions Late Comeback Attempt Falls Short in Midland 

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Missions continued their six-game series with the Midland RockHounds on Thursday night. The Missions offense nearly completed an incredible comeback on Thursday. Trailing 9-3 in the ninth inning, San Antonio brough the go-ahead run to the plate against Midland. However, Midland was able to hold on for a 9-8 victory.

Adam Mazur was the starting pitcher for the Missions. The RockHounds plated a run off the right-hander in the bottom of the first inning. With one man down, Max Muncy doubled to center field. Shane McGuire singled and Muncy advanced to third base. Muncy came in to score as Lazaro Armenteros grounded into a force out. Midland grabbed an early 1-0 lead.

The RockHounds added their second run of the game in the second inning. Jack Winkler began the frame with a base hit. Mazur retired the next two batters before unloading a wild pitch. With Winkler in scoring position, Caeden Trenkle drove him in with a single to left field.

Brady Basso was the starting pitcher for the RockHounds. The southpaw held the Missions without a hit through the first three innings. In the top of the fourth, San Antonio ended the no-hit bid and the shutout. With two men down, Graham Pauley drew a walk. Nathan Martorella doubled to left field and Pauley hustled around the bases to score. The Missions cut the deficit in half.

Midland threatened to add to their lead in the bottom half of the fourth inning. Cameron Masterman singled to start the frame. Mazur retired the next two batters before giving up a single to Cooper Bowman. Bowman stole second base to put runners on second and third with two outs. Muncy flew out to end the scoring threat.

The Missions tied the game in the top of the fifth inning. Connor Hollis drew a one-out walk against Basso. Juan Zabala drove him in with a double to right field. On the play, Zabala was thrown out trying to stretch it to a triple. The game was tied 2-2.

The RockHounds regained the lead in the bottom half of the fifth inning. McGuire drew a leadoff walk against Mazur. Lazaro Armenteros doubled to right field and McGuire advanced to third base. After striking out the next batter, a ground out from Winkler allowed McGuire to score. Midland took a 3-2 lead.

Midland took a commanding lead in the sixth inning after plating six runs on five hits. Facing Raul Brito, William Simoneit singled and Caeden Trenkle reached on a catcher interference. Bowman drove in a run with a double. Muncy drove in two runs with a base hit to center field. Armenteros drove in a run with a double to right field. Daniel Susac drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. After Seth Mayberry entered the game, Midland scored their sixth run of the frame on a single from Masterman. The Missions trailed 9-2.

San Antonio plated their third run of the game in the top of the seventh inning. Facing Stevie Emanuels, Marterolle singled and Cole Cummings drew a walk. A wild pitch allowed both runners to advance. Hollis drove in Martorella with a sacrifice fly. San Antonio trailed 9-3.

In the top of the ninth inning, Jasseel De La Cruz entered the game for Midland. Martorella welcomed him to the game with a double to right field. After striking out the next batter, De La Cruz allowed a single to Juan Fernandez. Hollis drove in both runners with a triple down the left field line. Juan Zabala scored Hollis with a double to left field. Jack Cushing took over on the mound for De La Cruz.

The right-hander inherited a runner at second base with one out. Ripken Reyes struck out for the second out of the inning. Jakob Marsee made it a one-run game with a home run to left field. Marcos Castanon kept the game alive with a single to left field. Korry Howell struck out swinging to end the game.

Post-Game Notes

• Final Score: 9-8

• With the loss, San Antonio falls to 29-31 & 66-63 on the season

• Adam Mazur (Missions starter): L, 4.2 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, BB, 3 K

• Brady Basso (RockHounds starter): ND, 4.2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K

Prospect Recap

• Jackson Merrill (#2 Padres prospect, #9 MLB): DNP

• Robby Snelling (#3 Padres prospect, #62 MLB): DNP

• Jairo Iriarte (#6 Padres prospect): Scheduled to pitch Saturday, September 9th

• Adam Mazur (#7 Padres prospect): L, 4.2 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, BB, 3 K

• Nathan Martorella (#10 Padres prospect): 3-4, 2 2B, RBI, 2 R

• Graham Pauley (#11 Padres prospect): 0-2, R, BB, 2 K (Removed after the 6th inning)

• Jakob Marsee (#12 Padres prospect): 1-4, HR, 2 RBI, R, HBP, 2 K

• Ryan Bergert (#16 Padres prospect): Scheduled to pitch Friday, September 8th

• Marcos Castañon (#23 Padres prospect): 2-5

• Daniel Susac (#5 A’s prospect): 1-4, RBI, SF, 2 K

• Max Muncy (#9 A’s prospect): 2-5, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R

• Jack Perkins (#21 A’s prospect): DNP

• Royber Salinas (#26 A’s prospect): DNP

• Ryan Cusick (#27 A’s prospect): Scheduled to pitch Sunday, September 10th

The San Antonio Missions will continue their six-game series with the Midland RockHounds on Friday, September 8th. Right-hander Ryan Bergert (1-2, 2.08) is scheduled to pitch for the Missions. Right-hander Blake Beers (3-9, 7.56) is scheduled to pitch for the RockHounds. Friday’s first pitch is slated for 7:00 from Momentum Bank Ballpark.

The San Antonio Missions are the Double-A affiliate for the San Diego Padres. The 2023 season is the 121st professional season for the San Antonio Missions. Postseason tickets are on sale now! Season seat memberships, as well as group tickets, for the 2023 season are available now. Call 210-675-PARK to discuss pricing for season tickets, group tickets and hospitality. Single game tickets are on sale now. The Missions Box Office will be cashless this season. Fans can purchase tickets at the box office using credit cards. For more information on the upcoming season call 210-675-PARK (7275) or visit samissions.com.