Missions Roll in Paddack's Debut

A successful Double-A debut from Chris Paddack and a second-inning offensive eruption propelled San Antonio to a 7-2 win over Arkansas in Saturday night's series opener at Wolff Stadium.
Paddack, an Austin native, took the Wolff mound in a much-anticipated first start since arriving from High-A Lake Elsinore. In 10 starts with the Storm, the 22-year-old hurler put up sensational numbers, going 4-1 with a 2.24 ERA and an incredible K:BB ratio of 83:4 over 52.1 innings.
Pitching in front of nearly 80 family members and friends Saturday evening, the top prospect did not disappoint. After retiring the Travelers in order in the first, Paddack made his lone mistake of the night when Joey Curletta led off the second with a homer to right. It would be the only hit Arkansas would manage in six innings against the righty. Paddack (1-0) fanned five on the night, while walking just one.
San Antonio produced all the runs they would need in the bottom of the second with a five-run rally against righty Matt Povse (4-3). Highlighting the uprising was a based-clearing triple from Ty France. The Missions upped its lead to 6-1 in the third with a Peter Van Gansen single to right.
The Missions would add more in the eighth with another Van Gansen RBI-single. Arkansas finalized the night's scoring with a run in the ninth off reliever Gerardo Reyes.
San Antonio (9-7, 51-35) resumes its three-game series with Arkansas (9-6, 44-41) on Circle K Sunday Funday. Sunday is also Heroes Appreciation Night courtesy of Texas Homes. Righty Cal Quantrill (6-4, 4.52) will get the ball for the Missions, while the Travs counter with lefty Anthony Misiewicz (1-6, 5.09).