TL1 San Antonio Missions

Blowout City

Published on May 16, 2009 under Texas League (TL1)
San Antonio Missions News Release


With the way the Missions have been reaching base lately, it was only a matter of time before they broke through for a big game. That game finally came Friday night, as San Antonio scratched out 14 hits and used five Midland errors to pound the RockHounds 9-3 in front of a crowd of 4,182 at Wolff Stadium.

The Missions benefitted from three Midland errors in the opening frame, but scored only one run, leaving the bases loaded for the third time in their past six innings. However, there would be no repeat of last night's performance, in which the Missions left 19 runners in all.

The home side was finally able to capitalize on Midland's miscues in the third inning. With one out, shortstop Josh Horton booted a routine grounder off the bat of Craig Cooper, his second error of the game. Cooper stole second, and Brian Joynt singled to left for his first hit in a Missions uniform, moving Cooper to third. Seth Johnston and Michael Collins both followed with RBI-singles, and Anthony Contreras scored Johnston on a sacrifice fly to make it 4-0 San Antonio.

But the game really unraveled on Midland starter Bobby Cramer in the fourth. After Luis Durango was caught stealing following his leadoff single, it looked like Cramer might have a smooth frame. But Cedric Hunter followed with a single of his own and moved to second base on a wild pitch. Mike Baxter singled Hunter home chasing Cramer, and the next batter, Craig Cooper, deposited the first pitch he saw from reliever Angel Garcia on the berm in left field for his third home run of the year.

Joynt and Johnston followed with back-to-back walks, moved to second and third on Michael Collins' ground-out, and scored on Anthony Contreras' two-out single to cap the five run inning and give the Missions a 9-0 advantage.

While his effort may have been overshadowed by the offensive explosion, Ernesto Frieri quietly put together another excellent start. He held the RockHounds hitless through the first 4.1 innings, before right fielder Matt Sulentic's sinking liner escaped the diving reach of Cedric Hunter in left field with one out in the fifth. Hunter had already made a highlight-reel catch on a similar ball hit by Matt Spencer to end the fourth inning.

Frieri threw 99 pitches over his five innings of work, allowing just the one run on two hits and four walks, striking out five. After allowing four earned runs in his first start of the year, he has allowed only seven earned over his last six starts, lowering his ERA to 2.83, best in the starting rotation and fourth among Texas League starters. The long wait between each inning clearly did not break his rhythm.

"You know, when you have that kind of lead you get comfortable," explained Frieri. "You can just go after your spots and be aggressive."

Skipper Terry Kennedy agreed with his hurler's perspective on his nice outing.

"He was throwing his fastballs for strikes. He's shown a tenacity that's not new, but he seems to be maturing."

Six Missions had two hits apiece in the Missions second straight win over Midland, the first time they have beaten the 'Hounds in back-to-back games this season.

WP: Frieri (4-1); LP: Cramer (0-2); HR: Cooper (3)

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Texas League Stories from May 16, 2009


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