TL1 San Antonio Missions

Five Missions headed to Texas League All-Star Game

Published on June 9, 2014 under Texas League (TL1)
San Antonio Missions News Release


San Antonio - Earlier today, Texas League President Tom Kayser announced the rosters for the 78th Annual Texas League All-Star Game, which will be held Tuesday, June 24th at Dickey- Stephens Park in North Little Rock, AR.

The Missions will be well represented in North Little Rock, with five of their players being named to the South Division roster. Frisco and Tulsa tied for the most ASG selections in the Texas League with nine apiece.

Two Missions will be in the South's starting lineup: C Austin Hedges and OF Rymer Liriano.

In 52 games this season, Hedges is hitting .254 (50-for-197) with 14 doubles (T-4th in the TL), five homers, 24 RBI and 15 runs scored. Hedges, who entered the season as the No. 1 prospect in the San Diego Padres' organization according to both Baseball America and MLB.com, had a team-high, 18-game on-base streak (April 29-May 19), during which he hit .369 (24-for-65).

Liriano has been San Antonio's top offensive player all season, entering play hitting .271 with 12 doubles, two triples, 11 homers, 38 RBI, 35 runs and 10 stolen bases. The outfielder is tied for second in the TL in both games (61) and homers, in addition to being, third in both RBI and extra-base hits (25).

On the pitching side, San Antonio right-hander James Needy will be making the trip to North Little Rock. In 11 games (10 starts) this season for the Missions, the San Diego, CA native is 4- 3 with a 2.70 ERA (6th in TL), striking out 40 batters against just 18 walks in 56.2 innings. In his six games (five starts) since May 9, Needy is 4-0 with a 1.51 ERA and a K:BB ratio of 27:10 over 35.2 innings.

Joining Needy on the South Stars' pitching staff will be Missions' closer Johnny Barbato and fellow reliever, Adys Portillo.

Barbato is 2-2 with a 2.61 ERA and a league-leading 16 saves in 26 games this year. Last night, Barbato closed out San Antonio's 6-5 win at Corpus Christi with his first, two-inning save of 2014. In addition to leading the TL in saves, Barbato is also tied with teammate Luis De La Cruz for the lead in appearances. San Diego selected Barbato in the 6th round of the 2010 First- Year Player Draft out of Felix Varela High School in Miami, FL.

In 22 games this season, Portillo is 0-1 with a miniscule 1.17 ERA and has fanned 38 batters over just 30.2 innings. The right-hander has had six different relief appearances this season in which he's struck out at least three. Portillo did not allow an earned run in his 11 games in May (14.2 IP).

In charge of steering the South Division to victory will be the Missions' coaching staff: Manager Rich Dauer, pitching coach Jimmy Jones, hitting coach Francisco Morales, trainer Dan Turner and strength & conditioning coach Eric Wood.

San Antonio (31-31) has two more games left on their current road trip, which ends Tuesday at Minute Maid Park in Houston as they take on Corpus Christi (31-31) in the 2014 Futures Game. First pitch from Houston will be 6:10 PM. Following their series with the Hooks, the Missions will return to San Antonio to open a season-long, 12-game homestand Wednesday against Midland (34-28).

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Texas League Stories from June 9, 2014


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