Missions Snap Losing Skid with Narrow Victory

SAN ANTONIO – It was a familiar feeling for the Missions on Friday night as the club got out to an early lead. Unlike the past two nights, the Missions were capable of capturing a lead late in the ballgame. With the game tied in the top of the seventh inning, San Antonio took a one-run lead courtesy of Connor Kaiser. San Antonio snaps their three-game losing skid with a 6-5 final score.

Jack Cushing was the starting pitcher for the Midland RockHounds. After a scoreless first inning, the Missions used the long ball to take the lead in the bottom of the second inning. Webster Rivas drew a lead-off walk before Juan Fernandez fell victim to a strike out. Thomas Milone, after making a splendid catch in the first inning, left the yard for a two-run home run. His sixth long ball of the season made it a 2-0 Missions lead.

Ben Krauth was the starting pitcher for the San Antonio Missions. After a scoreless first inning, the RockHounds tied the game in the bottom of the second inning. With one out in the inning, Midland loaded the bases on a base hit and back-to-back walks. Michael Guldberg drove in the first run with a sacrifice fly to left field. Zack Gelof, Oakland’s third ranked prospect, drove in the game-tying run with a single to center field. It was a 2-2 ballgame after two innings of play.

The RockHounds gained the lead in the bottom of the third inning after scoring twice on four hits. Kyle McCann started off the inning with a double to left field. JJ Schwarz, the following batter, drove in McCann with a base hit to right field. Midland loaded the bases after a single and a walk to Logan Davidson and William Simoneit. After recording the second out, Michael Guldberg drove in Schwarz with a single to left field. On the play, Davidson was thrown out at home by Tirso Ornelas. Midland took a 4-2 lead.

The Missions regained the lead in the top of the fifth inning after scoring three runs on four hits. Jorge Ona began the inning with a double but was visibly limping as he reached second base. Wyatt Ulrich bounced into a fielder’s choice as Ona was tagged out by Cushing. Ona was later replaced by Yorman Rodriuez. Chandler Seagle singled following Ulrich’s at-bat. With two outs in the inning, Ornelas drove in both runners with a double to right field. Leyba drove in Ornelas with a base hit to right field. The Missions took a 5-4 lead.

Midland bounced back and tied the game in the bottom half of the fifth inning. Facing Moises Lugo, Davidson started the inning with a base hit. After a fly out, Davidson was thrown out trying to steal second base. With two outs in the inning, Simoneit drew a walk and Selman hit a double to plate Simoneit. It was 5-5 after five innings of play.

The back-and-forth continued as the Missions grabbed the lead in the top of the seventh inning. Facing Bryce Conley, Ulrich reached base on a bunt single and advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt from Seagle. After stealing third base, Ulrich came around to score on an RBI single from Connor Kaiser. The Missions took a 6-5 lead.

Midland continued to battle in the bottom of the ninth inning. Osvaldo Hernandez began the inning on the mound and retired the first two batters before allowing a single to Davidson. He was replaced by Kevin Kopps. The right-hander walked Bechina to place the winning run on first base. He left the runners stranded after inducing a ground out off the bat of Simoneit.

*Post-Game Notes *

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

• Moises Lugo improves to 6-0 on the season

• Kevin Kopps (#13 Padres prospect): SV, 0.1 IP, BB

• Reggie Lawson (#16 Padres prospect): DNP

• Tirso Ornelas (#22 Padres prospect): 1-5, 2B, 2 RBI, R

The San Antonio Missions will continue their six-game series against the Midland RockHounds on Saturday, July 30th. Right-hander Brandon Komar (0-3, 7.22) is scheduled to pitch for the Missions. Left-hander David Leal (3-4, 4.87) 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.