Seagle’s Grand Slam Caps Missions 11-2 Victory Over Amarillo 

SAN ANTONIO – The Missions offense lit up the scoreboard leading to an 11-2 San Antonio victory over the Amarillo Sod Poodles. Domingo Leyba drove in four runs on four hits, and Chandler Seagle walloped his first career grand slam to give the Missions a chance to clinch a series victory tomorrow against their Texas League South Division rival.

Blake Walston was the starting pitcher for the Amarillo Sod Poodles. Coming into Saturday night’s game, he was ranked by MLB Pipeline as the 88th prospect in Major League Baseball. The Missions offense attacked early and took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Connor Hollis hit a single to center field and advanced to third base on a sacrifice bunt from Korry Howell. Leyba capitalized and drove in Hollis with a single to center field.

Reggie Lawson was the starting pitcher for the Missions. The right-hander was coming off two terrific outings against the Corpus Christi Hooks. He retired the first eight batters he faced before allowing a two-out single to Drew Stankiewicz in the top of the third inning.

The Missions added to their lead in the bottom of the third inning with three runs on three hits. Connor Kaiser started off the inning with a base hit. A passed ball on Andy Yerzy advanced Kaiser to second base. After advancing to third on a fly ball, Kaiser scored on a balk from Walston. Hollis singled following the balk. On a 1-1 count, Leyba left the yard for a two-run home run. His fifth long ball of the season made it a 4-0 Missions lead.

The Sod Poodles plated their first run of the game in the top of the fourth inning. Corbin Carroll began the inning with a ground-rule double. After a ground out, Carroll came around to score on a single from Eduardo Diaz. San Antonio held a 4-1 advantage.

The Missions added an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth inning. With two outs in the inning, Howell drew a walk to extend the inning. After stealing second base, Leyba drove in Howell with a single to left field. For Leyba, he drove in four runs for the second time this season with the other occasion coming on June 9th.

San Antonio had a chance to significantly increase their lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Missions loaded the bases with no outs after three straight singles from Ornelas, Fernandez and Milone. Kaiser and Seagle both went down on strikes and Hollis grounded out to leave the three runners stranded.

The offense continued to provide in the bottom of the seventh inning. Juan Fernandez drove in a pair of runs to extend San Antonio’s lead to 7-1. The Missions then loaded the bases once again, and this time Seagle delivered a grand slam that put the Missions up 11-1. This was his first career grand slam and sets a new career high in runs batted in.

Carroll slapped an opposite-field solo home run to left field to add another run for the Sod Poodles in the top of the ninth inning. Missions reliever Michel Baez retired the remaining Amarillo hitters to wrap up an 11-2 San Antonio victory.

Post-Game Notes

• With the win, San Antonio improves to 33-27 on the season
• 2nd 4-RBI game for Domingo Leyba, 8th by a Missions player this season
• Chandler Seagle: 1st Career Grand Slam (career high 4 RBI)
• 3rd Grand Slam of the Season
• 3rd 6-run inning of the season
• Korry Howell (#13 Padres prospect): 0-2, 2 BB, 2 R
• Kevin Kopps (#14 Padres prospect): DNP
• Reggie Lawson (#17 Padres prospect): W, 5.0 IP, 3 H, ER, BB, K
• Tirso Ornelas (#23 Padres prospect): 1-3, BB, R

The San Antonio Missions will wrap-up their six-game series with the Amarillo Sod Poodles on Sunday, June 19th. Right-hander Thomas Eshelman (2-4, 4.50) is scheduled to start for the Missions. Right-hander Slade Cecconi (3-3, 4.82) is scheduled to pitch for the Amarillo Sod Poodles. First pitch is expected for 2:05 p.m.

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.