Naturals Silence Missions to Even Series 

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Missions continued their three-game homestand against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Saturday night. Strong pitching ruled the night throughout for the Naturals. Despite a late push by the Missions, Northwest Arkansas claimed a 4-1 win to even the series ahead of Sunday’s finale.

Chandler Champlain took the mound as the Naturals’ starting pitcher, and the Missions threatened to score off him in the bottom of the first inning. Ripken Reyes drew a lead-off walk and Jackson Merrill bounced into a fielder’s choice. With two outs in the frame, Daniel Johnson singled to right field and Merrill advanced into scoring position, but Michael De La Cruz grounded out to end the threat.

Jackson Wolf got the start for San Antonio. Through the first three innings, he allowed two singles but kept the Naturals off the board in large part thanks to three strikeouts and a timely double play.

In the bottom of the third, Reyes again reached base, this time via a hit-by-pitch. He got to second, but Champlain left him there to keep the game scoreless.

The Naturals made some noise in the fifth when Jimmy Govern doubled. He moved over to third, and with two outs, Jake Means punched a single into right field that brought Govern home. Wolf ensured that was all the damage, so the Naturals led 1-0.

Gabe Mosser replaced Wolf in the sixth for his season debut with the Missions. Tyler Tolbert welcomed him with a double, and Peyton Wilson followed with a bouncing single into right field that drove Tolbert across the plate. Northwest Arkansas was not done there. Jeison Guzman skied a double that barely dropped in right-center field, but it was enough to both make it 3-0 in favor of the Naturals and knock Mosser out of the game.

Lopez entered with a runner at second and two outs in the sixth inning. He hit a batter but then blew a fastball past Morgan McCullough to strike him out and escape the jam.

After getting his lead padded, Champlain set the Missions down in order. Through six innings, Northwest Arkansas remained up 3-0.

Jacob Wallace came in for Champlain and picked up right where he left off. Despite a one-out single, he held the Missions scoreless in the seventh.

Jairo Iriarte started his Missions debut in the seventh and continued it in the eighth. He dazzled, retiring all six Naturals he faced.

While Wallace was clean in his first frame, his second looked a bit different. Merrill doubled and Castañon walked, forcing Wallace out in favor of John McMillon. The new righty struggled to with command, walking Daniel Johnson to load the bases before a passed ball put the Missions on the board. McMillion recovered, striking out De La Cruz to hold onto a 3-1 advantage heading to the ninth.

Northwest Arkansas felt the pressure, so they added insurance. A walk and a single began the trouble. With two outs, Parker Bates went the other way with a single that scored a run and put the Naturals up 4-1.

McMillion stayed on for the ninth inning. He worked around a double to seal a 4-1 Northwest Arkansas victory.

Post-Game Notes

• Final Score: 4-1

• With the loss, San Antonio falls to 6-8 & 43-40 on the season

• Jackson Merrill (#1 Padres prospect, #10 MLB): 1-4, R

• Adam Mazur (#6 Padres prospect): DNP

• Jairo Iriarte (#11 Padres prospect): 2 IP, 3 K

• Korry Howell (#13 Padres prospect): 1-4

• Jackson Wolf (#16 Padres prospect, Missions starter): L, 5 IP, 4 H, ER, 6 K

• Ryan Bergert (#24 Padres prospect): DNP

• Brandon Valenzuela (#29 Padres prospect): 2-4

• Chandler Champlain (NWA starter, #24 Royals prospect): W, 6 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 4 K

The San Antonio Missions will wrap-up their three-game homestand with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Sunday, July 16th. Left-hander Daniel Camarena (1-3, 6.85) is scheduled to pitch for the Missions. Left-hander Dante Biasi (2-4, 3.83) is scheduled to pitch for the Naturals. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. from Nelson Wolff Stadium.

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.