Rodriguez Homers, Jacob Picks Up a Win as Missions Split Doubleheader with Hooks 

SAN ANTONIO – With Saturday’s game postponed due to rain, the Missions and Hooks participated in a series finale doubleheader on Sunday night. San Antonio had chances to win game one but fell short in a 6-5 final. In game two, the Missions trailed 1-0 through the majority of the game. A three-run sixth inning, capped off by a two-run homer from Yorman Rodriguez, sealed a 3-1 win. The Missions finish the series by winning the last of the six games.

Game one of Sunday’s doubleheader saw Thomas Eshelman take the mound for the Missions against Adrian Chaidez for the Corpus Christi Hooks. Eshelman showed a rare lack of control in the top of the first inning and had to pitch out of a jam. He hit the leadoff batter Ross Adolph with a pitch to start the game. After retiring the next batter, the right-hander hit Luke Berryhill to put two runners on base. Adolph advanced to third base as Shay Whitcomb reached base on a fielder’s choice. Eshelman struck out C.J. Stubbs to end the inning.

San Antonio gained the lead in the bottom of the first inning. Connor Hollis began the inning with a base hit. Tirso Ornelas flew out and Juan Fernandez drew a walk. Yorman Rodriguez grounded out and advanced both runners into scoring position. Webster Rivas drove in Hollis and Fernandez with a single to left field. The Missions took a 2-0 lead.

Corpus Christi used the long ball to capture the lead in the top of the second inning. Alex McKenna started off the inning with a base hit to right-center field. Cesar Salazar flew out and Grae Kessinger drew a walk. San Antonio native Bryan Arias hit a three-run home run to center field. His fifth homer of the season made it a 3-2 lead for the Hooks.

The Missions regained the lead in the bottom of the third inning courtesy of two triples. Ornelas legged out a triple to start the inning. He scored on an RBI single from Fernandez. After striking out Rodriguez, Rivas drew a walk to put two runners on base. Kelvin Melean drove in both runners after hitting a line drive to right field and legging out a triple. The Missions took a 5-3 lead.

Eshelman had to pitch out of another jam in the top of the fourth inning. Salazar began the inning with a base hit to center field. Grae Kessinger advanced Salazar to second base with a sacrifice bunt. Arias grounded out and Salazar moved to third base. With the tying run at the plate, Eshelman struck out Adolph to end the inning.

Seth Mayberry came on to pitch for San Antonio in the top of the fifth inning. Due to a fielding error, the Hooks cut the deficit in half. He retired the first two batters before allowing a single to Whitcomb. Stubbs reached base on a fielding error from Ethan Skender and Whitcomb advanced to third base. Alex McKenna singled to right field and scored Whitcomb. The Missions lead was down to 5-4.

Corpus Christi utilized the long ball to regain the lead in the top of the sixth inning. After retiring the first batter of the inning, Mayberry allowed a single to Arias. He was replaced on the mound by Fred Schlichtholz. The southpaw struck out the first batter he faced before facing Quincy Hamilton. The Hooks outfielder hit a two-run home run to right field. His fourth long ball of the season made it a 6-5 lead for the Hooks.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Devin Conn came on to pitch for the Hooks. He retired the first two batters before issuing a walk to Rivas. Ripken Reyes entered the game as a pinch runner for Rivas.

For game two, it was Brandon Komar starting For the Missions against Spencer Arrighetti for the Hooks. Komar was aiming to avenge his game one loss on August 30th.

After a scoreless first inning, the Missions threatened to take the lead in the bottom of the second inning. Rivas drew a walk and Kelvin Melean hit a single to left field. Mears struck out and Rivas was thrown out trying to steal third base. On the play, Melean advanced to second base. A wild pitch moved Melean to third base before Tyler Malone drew a walk. Attempting a double steal, Melean was thrown out trying to steal home.

A terrific defensive play from the Missions kept the Hooks off the scoreboard in the top of the third inning. With two outs in the inning, Komar gave up a double to Adolph. Hamilton hit a single to center field and Adolph attempted to score. Mears came up firing and threw out Adolph at home to end the inning.

The pitcher’s duel continued through the fourth inning. In the top of the fifth inning, Corpus Christi took the lead with one run on two hits. McKenna began the inning with an infield single before stealing second base. Salazar flew out and McKenna advanced to third base. Kessinger drove in McKenna with a sacrifice fly to center field. Corpus Christi took a 1-0 lead.

The San Antonio offense came alive in the bottom of the sixth inning and took the lead. Facing Jonathan Sprinkle, Reyes drew a leadoff walk. He ended up at third base after groundouts from Hollis and Ornelas. Fernandez tied the game with a base hit to left field. Rodriguez gave the Missions the lead with a two-run home run to left field. His 13th long ball of the season gave San Antonio a 3-1 lead.

In the top of the seventh inning, Lake Bachar came in to pitch. He retired the first batter before walking Kessinger. Arias hit a double to put both runners in scoring position. Bachar struck out Adolph for out number two. Hamilton grounded out to end the game.

*Post-Game Notes *

• With Sunday’s split, San Antonio is now 26-31 (2nd half), 64-60 (overall) on the season

• 6th time this season the Missions have hit two triples in one game

• Game One Final: Hooks (6) San Antonio (5)

• Game Two Final: San Antonio (3) Hooks (1)

• Noel Vela (#12 Padres prospect): DNP

• Joshua Mears (#16 Padres prospect): 0-4, BB, 4 K

• Tirso Ornelas (#20 Padres prospect): 2-7, 3B, R

• Kevin Kopps (#25 Padres prospect): DNP

• Alek Jacob (#26 Padres prospect): W, 1.1 IP, 2 H, 3 K

The San Antonio Missions will have the day off on Monday before hitting the road for a six-game series against the Springfield Cardinals on Tuesday, September 6th. The pitching matchups have not yet been announced. First pitch is expected at 6:35 p.m. from Hammons Field.

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.