Rodriguez Drives in Two as Missions Hold off Wind Surge

June 25, 2022

SAN ANTONIO – One night after clinching the first half title, the Missions continued their winning ways on Saturday night. The Missions gained a 4-2 lead in the sixth inning and the bullpen was able to pitch out of some jams down the stretch to keep the lead intact. Yorman

SAN ANTONIO – One night after clinching the first half title, the Missions continued their winning ways on Saturday night. The Missions gained a 4-2 lead in the sixth inning and the bullpen was able to pitch out of some jams down the stretch to keep the lead intact. Yorman Rodriguez carried the Missions offense with two runs driven in during a 4-2 victory.

Louie Varland was the starting pitcher for the Wichita Wind Surge. He surrendered the lead to the Missions in the top of the first inning. Thomas Milone drew a lead-off walk and advanced to second base on a ground out. After Domingo Leyba struck out, Yorman Rodriguez drove in Milone after a single into shallow center field. The Missions took a 1-0 lead before Thomas Eshelman could even take the mound.

After pitching a scoreless first inning, Eshelman gave up the lead in the bottom of the second inning. Cole Sturgeon, on a 1-0 pitch, hit a solo home run over the right field wall. His sixth long ball of the season made it a 1-1 ballgame.

San Antonio had a chance to regain the lead in the top of the fourth inning. Rodriguez began the inning with a single and advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt from Tirso Ornelas. With Rodriguez on second and one out, Jorge Ona and Connor Kaiser both struck out to leave him stranded.

The Missions did regain the lead in the top of the fifth inning. Ripken Reyes drew a one-out walk following a Chandler Seagle fly out. Milone hit a double to advance Reyes into scoring position. Reyes came around to score after Juan Fernandez reached base on a fielder’s choice. San Antonio loaded the bases after Leyba drew a walk. Rodriguez drove in Milone with a sacrifice fly. The Missions gained a 3-1 lead.

The Wind Surge cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the fifth inning. With one out in the inning, Kevin Merrell hit a single to left field. Chris Williams singled to right field and Merrell advanced to third base on the play. Williams was able to advance to second base as Jorge Ona, the Missions right fielder, tried to throw out Merrell at third base. After a ground out, Matt Wallner was intentionally walked to load the bases. Merrell came around to score after Edouard Julien drew a walk. The Missions held a 3-2 advantage.

San Antonio added an insurance run in the sixth inning. Facing Andrew Cabezas, Kaiser and Seagle hit back-to-back singles to place runners on the corners with one out. Reyes was hit by a pitch and loaded the bases. Kaiser came around to score after Milone hit a line drive into right field for an RBI single. San Antonio improved their lead to 4-2.

Wichita had a chance to cut into the deficit in the bottom of the seventh inning. Facing Michel Baez, Daniel Ozoria hit a lead-off single. After recording an out, Julien singled and Ozoria advanced to third base. With runners on the corners and one out, Baez struck out Kyle Schmidt and induced a ground out to end the inning.

The Wind Surge had another scoring opportunity in the bottom of the eighth inning. After recording the first two outs of the inning, Baez hit Merrell with a pitch and Williams with a pitch. He threw a wild pitch which allowed both runners to advance into scoring position. After a brief mound visit, Baez struck out Austin Martin to leave the runners stranded.

Post-Game Notes

With the win, San Antonio improves to 37-29 on the season
Korry Howell (#13 Padres prospect): DNP
Kevin Kopps (#14 Padres prospect): DNP
Reggie Lawson (#17 Padres prospect): DNP
Tirso Ornelas (#23 Padres prospect): 0-3, SAC, K
Matt Waldron (#27 Padres prospect): DNP

The San Antonio Missions will wrap-up their six-game series with the Wichita Wind Surge on Sunday, June 26th. Right-hander Lake Bachar (0-2, 5.40) is scheduled to pitch for the Missions. The Wind Surge have not yet announced their starter for Sunday’s game. First pitch is expected at 1:05 p.m. from Riverfront 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. 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.