Early Offense Carries Missions Past 'Hounds
Published on June 25, 2017 under Texas League (TL1)
San Antonio Missions News Release
San Antonio did most of its damage over the first two innings in a 7-3 win over Midland Saturday night before 5,375 at Wolff Stadium.
The Missions took advantage of a wild A.J. Puk in the bottom of the first. Oakland's first round (sixth overall) pick in the 2016 Draft, never settled into Saturday night's start, just his second at the Double-A level. The 6'7 lefty out of the University of Florida ran into immediate trouble as the Missions loaded the bases with nobody out following singles by Luis Urias and Noah Perio and a Ty France walk.
Puk (0-2) compounded his problems by walking Franmil Reyes to force in Urias with the game's first run. After Alberth Martinez struck out for the first out of the frame, Nick Torres gave San Antonio a 2-0 lead when he followed with a single to right. Puk walked Stephen McGee to bring in another run, and just like that, his night was over. The Missions added a fourth run on a Fernando Perez RBI-groundout.
San Antonio tacked on two more in the second against Puk's replacement Kyle Friedrichs courtesy of a McGee ground rule double to right center.
The early explosion was more than enough for righty Chris Huffman, who continued to impress in what was just his sixth Double-A start. Huffman (3-1) allowed just four hits and one walk, while striking out four over six and a third innings. His only mistake left the park in the fourth as Viosergy Rosa 's three-run homer to right cut the Midland deficit in half.
Martinez capped scoring in the seventh with a solo homer to right off lefty Brandon Mann . It was Martinez's seventh dinger of the season, which is the third-most on the club.
San Antonio finished off the victory with the bullpen trio of Eric Yardley, Brad Wieck and Aroni Nina, who limited Midland to just two hits following Huffman's departure. Nina worked out of a bases loaded jam in the ninth, striking out Brett Vertigan to seal another Mission win.
San Antonio (3-2, 44-31) concludes its four-game series with Midland (1-4, 36-39) Sunday at 2:05 PM. Brett Kennedy (6-3, 3.75) will get the ball for the Missions, while the 'Hounds counter with fellow righty Grant Holmes (5-7, 5.00)
Texas League Stories from June 25, 2017
- Kennedy Delivers Missions to Series Victory - San Antonio Missions
- Kennedy Continues to Roll as San Antonio Takes Series - San Antonio Missions
- San Antonio Strikes Early to Top 'Hounds - Midland RockHounds
- Early Offense Carries Missions Past 'Hounds - San Antonio Missions
- Hooks Power Past RoughRiders - Corpus Christi Hooks
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