San Antonio Collects 10 Hits, Falls Short Against Springfield 

SAN ANTONIO – After winning games one and two of this series, the San Antonio Missions aimed for their third win a row. After trailing early, the Missions completed their comeback and tied the game in the eighth inning. The Springfield Cardinals plated three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to regain the lead and seal the deal on Thursday night. Springfield gets the victory with a 6-3 final score.

Logan Gragg was the starting pitcher for the Springfield Cardinals. The right-hander nearly gave up the lead in the top of the first inning. Connor Hollis began the game with an infield single. On the play, he was awarded second base on a throwing error from Errol Robinson. Hollis advanced to third base on a ground out from Tirso Ornelas. He was left stranded after Domingo Leyba struck out and Yorman Rodriguez grounded out.

Kevin Kopps was the starting pitcher for the San Antonio Missions. After a scoreless first inning, the Cardinals gained the lead in the bottom of the second inning. Brady Whalen began the inning with a base hit. After striking out the next batter, Kopps issued a walk to Robinson. A wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position. Aaron Antonini grounded out and Whalen came in to score.

San Antonio bounced back and tied the game in the top of the third inning. With one out in the inning. Hollis reached base on a fielding error from Robinson. Ornelas grounded out and Leyba drew a walk. Rodriguez drove in Hollis with a single to left field and made it a 1-1 ballgame.

The Cardinals regained the lead after scoring two runs on three hits in the bottom of the third inning. Mike Antico began the inning with a base hit and stole second base. After a fly out, Jorden Walker reached base on an infield single. On the play, Antico scored due to a throwing error from Kopps. Felix Minjarez replaced Kopps following that play. Walker, who had reached second base on the error, stole third base before Minjarez walked Matt Koperniak. Whalen reached base on a fielder’s choice and Walker scored from third base. Springfield took a 3-1 lead.

Springfield threatened to extend their lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Nick Dunn began the inning with a double to right field. Minjarez left him stranded after getting Walker to ground out, Koperniak to strike out, and Whalen to fly out.

San Antonio had a chance to cut into the deficit in the top of the sixth inning. Leyba started off the inning with a double to right field. Rodriguez, Fernandez, and Rivas all grounded out to end the inning and leave Leyba stranded.

The Missions plated their second run of the game in the top of the seventh inning. Facing Michael Brettell, Jorge Ona hit a one-out single and advanced to second base on a wild pitch. Joshua Mears reached base on a fielder’s choice and Ona advanced to third base on an error from Robinson. Hollis drove in Ona with a sacrifice fly to left field. Ornelas hit a double to put two runners in scoring position with two outs. However, Leyba grounded out to keep it a 3-2 ballgame.

San Antonio completed the comeback and tied the game in the top of the eighth inning. With one out in the inning, Brettell allowed a base hit to Fernandez before recording the second out of the frame. Kelvin Melean drew a walk to extend the inning and Brettell was replaced by Dalton Roach. Fernandez came around to score on a throwing error from Roach. The right-hander attempted a pickoff to second base and threw it into the outfield allowing Fernandez to score the tying run.

The next half inning saw the Cardinals regain the lead with three runs on three hits. Facing Seth Mayberry, Whalen hit a one-out double to put himself in scoring position. After recording the second out of the inning, Robinson drove in Whalen with a single to left field. After stealing second base, Antonini hit a two-run home run over the right field wall. His first long ball of the season made it a 6-3 game.

*Post-Game Notes *

• With the loss, San Antonio falls to 28-32 (2nd half), 66-61 (overall) on the season

• Missions Offense: 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position, nine runners left on base

• Noel Vela (#11 Padres prospect): DNP

• Jackson Wolf (#14 Padres prospect): Scheduled to pitch on 9/10

• Joshua Mears (#15 Padres prospect): 0-4, 2 K

• Tirso Ornelas (#19 Padres prospect): 1-5, 2B

• Kevin Kopps (#24 Padres prospect): L, 2.1 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K (Career High)

• Alek Jacob (#25 Padres prospect): DNP

The San Antonio Missions will continue their six-game series with the Springfield Cardinals on Friday, September 9th. Right-hander Thomas Eshelman (3-4, 4.68) is scheduled to pitch for the Missions. Right-hander Gordon Graceffo (5-4, 4.52) is scheduled to pitch for the Cardinals. 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.