Ornelas Has Career Day as Missions Drop Series Finale in 10 Innings 

SAN ANTONIO – Despite a five-hit performance from Tirso Ornelas, and taking a two-run lead in the top of the 10th inning, the Midland offense was relentless on Sunday afternoon. Osvaldo Hernandez attempted to record the save but instead allowed three runs on three hits. Logan Davidson came up clutch for Midland with a walk-off, two-run double as Midland ended the series with a 13-12 victory.

Colin Peluse was the starting pitcher for the Midland RockHounds. After not playing the last two games, Connor Hollis extended his hit streak with a lead-off double. He advanced to third base in a strange way. After being picked off, he was caught in a rundown and wound up safe at third on a throwing error from Logan Davidson. Tirso Ornelas reached base on a fielder’s choice as Hollis came around to score. The Missions took a 1-0 lead.

Reggie Lawson, the game one starter for the Missions, received the start Sunday afternoon. Midland bounced back and tied the game in the bottom half of the first inning. With one out in the inning, Brett Harris hit a solo home run over the left field wall. His seventh long ball of the season tied the game at 1-1.

Midland used the long ball once again in the second inning and took the lead over San Antonio. They plated three runs and knocked Lawson out of the game. Davidson drew a walk to start the inning. After striking out the next batter, Shane Selman took Lawson deep for a two-run home run. Sahid Valenzuela, the next batter, reached base on a throwing error from Kelvin Melean. After retiring the next batter, Zack Gelof drew a walk. Valenzuela came around to score on an RBI single from Harris. Lawson issued a walk to Kyle McCann and was replaced on the mound by Mason Fox. The RockHounds gained a 4-1 advantage.

San Antonio began their comeback attempt in the top of the fourth inning. Webster Rivas drew a walk to start the inning. He has reached base safely in all 19 games played with the Missions. After retiring the next two batters, Peluse issued a walk to Wyatt Ulrich. Connor Kaiser drove in both runners with a double to left field. The Missions cut the deficit to 4-3.

The Missions completed the comeback and regained the lead in the top of the fifth inning. Hollis started off the inning with a double to left-center field. Ornelas quickly drove him in with a double of his own. After striking out Rodriguez, Rivas drove in Ornelas with a base hit. Matt Milburn came on to pitch in relief of Peluse. After allowing a single to Thomas Milone, Melean drove in Rivas after grounding into a force out. The Missions took a 6-4 lead.

Midland was able to recover and grabbed the lead from the Missions in the bottom half of the fifth inning. The RockHounds plated four runs on four hits. With one out in the inning, JJ Schwarz hit a double to left field. Davidson scored Schwarz with a base hit to center field. After issuing a walk to William Simoneit, Selman hit a three-run home run for his second of the day. Fox retired the next batter and allowed a hit to Michael Guldberg before being replaced by Felix Minjarez. The RockHounds gained an 8-6 lead.

The RockHounds improved their lead with two more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Harris and McCann started the inning with back-to-back singles. Schwarz drove in Harris with a sacrifice fly to center field. After retiring the next batter, Simoneit drove in McCann with a single to left-center field. On the play, Simoneit was thrown out trying to stretch the single to a double. The Missions trailed 10-6.

San Antonio used the long ball to complete the comeback and tie the game in the top of the eighth inning. Facing Chase Cohen, Ulrich began the inning by reaching on an error and stealing second base. After striking out the next batter, Cohen issued a walk to Chandler Seagle before being replaced by Charles Hall. Hall struck out Hollis before allowing an RBI single to Ornelas. Rodriguez provided the big blow of the inning with a game-tying, three-run home run to left field. His 11th long ball of the season made it a 10-10 ballgame.

The RockHounds had an opportunity to walk-off the Missions in the bottom of the ninth inning. Facing Angel Felipe, the first two hitters were retired before Felipe hit Selman with a pitch. Valenzuela singled and moved Selman to third base. With the winning run 90-feet away, Guldberg popped out to end the inning.

In the top of the 10th inning, Wandisson Charles came on to pitch for Midland and Ripken Reyes pinch-ran and was placed at second base. Hollis drew a walk to start the inning before Ornelas hit a single for his fifth hit of the game. On the play, Reyes was thrown out at the plate. With Hollis at third and Ornelas at second, Midland chose to intentionally walk Rodriguez. Charles walked Rivas and allowed Hollis to score. A walk to Milone allowed Ornelas to score. The Missions took a 12-10 lead.

Osvaldo Hernandez came on for the save in the bottom of the 10th inning and Guldberg began the inning at second base. Gelof flew out to start the inning and Guldberg tagged up and advanced to third base. Harris drove in Guldberg with a base hit to right field. McCann hit a single and Schwarz drew a walk. Davidson ended the game with a two-run double off the center field wall. Midland ended the series with a 13-12 victory.

*Post-Game Notes *

• With the loss, San Antonio falls to 50-44 (overall), 12-15 (2nd half) on the season

• Seventh extra inning game of the season, fall to 3-4

• Connor Hollis extends hit streak to 12 games, on-base streak to 19 games

• Webster Rivas: 19-game on-base streak (all 19 games he has played with the Missions)

• Kevin Kopps (#13 Padres prospect): 1.0 IP, H

• Reggie Lawson (#16 Padres prospect): ND, 1.2 IP, 3 H, 4 R (3 ER), 3 BB, 2 K

• Tirso Ornelas (#22 Padres prospect): 5-6, 2 2B, 3 RBI, 3 R

• First career 5-hit game for Ornelas, second Missions player to do so this season (Rodriguez)

The San Antonio Missions will have the day-off on Monday before returning home on Tuesday, August 2nd for a six-game homestand against the Wichita Wind Surge. The pitching matchups have not yet been announced. First pitch is expected at 7:05 p.m. from Nelson Wolff Stadium.

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.