TL San Antonio Missions

Johnson's Three-Run Homer Not Enough in Game Five Loss

July 2, 2023 - Texas League (TL)
San Antonio Missions News Release


SAN ANTONIO - The San Antonio Missions continued their six-game homestand with the Frisco RoughRiders on Sunday night. In a back-and-forth contest, the RoughRiders struck first and struck last against the Missions. A three-run homer from Daniel Johnson gave the Missions the lead before Frisco fought back to claim a 6-4 advantage in the ninth inning. San Antonio will have another chance to claim the series victory on Monday.

Bobby Milacki was the starting pitcher for the Missions. The right-hander made his first start since August 22, 2021. Milacki allowed one run on two hits in the top of the first inning. Luisangel Acuna began the game with an infield single and advanced to second base on a wild pitch. With one out in the inning. Thomas Saggese drove in Acuna with a base hit to left field. Frisco took a 1-0 lead.

Noah Bremer was the starting pitcher for the RoughRiders. The Missions evened the score against the right-hander in the bottom of the first inning. Ripken Reyes began the frame with a base hit and advanced to second base on a balk. Michael De La Cruz flew out and Reyes advanced to third base. Reyes came in to score on a wild pitch.

The Missions had a chance to capture the lead in the second inning. With one out in the frame, Ray-Patrick Didder drew a walk and stole second base. Brandon Valenzuela grounded out and Didder moved to third base. Bremer left him stranded after striking out Justin Farmer.

San Antonio used the long ball to take the lead in the third inning. With one out in the frame, Reyes and De La Cruz hit back-to-back singles. Justin Slaten entered the game for Bremer. On the second pitch of the at-bat, Daniel Johnson hit a three-run home run to right field. His fourth long ball of the season made it a 4-1 ballgame.

Frisco plated their second run of the game in the top of the fourth inning. With two outs in the inning, Milacki allowed a base hit to Aaron Zavala. Kellen Strahm doubled and Zavala came in to score. The Missions held a 4-2 lead.

The RoughRiders completed the comeback and tied the game in the top of the fifth inning. Acuna reached base with a one-out single before Evan Carter grounded into a fielder's choice. Saggese connected on a two-out, two-run home run to left field to make it a 4-4 ballgame.

Lake Bachar, after being reinstated from the Injured List, tossed a scoreless sixth inning while allowing one hit and striking out one batter. Raul Brito pitched a scoreless seventh inning and had to pitch out of a jam in the eighth. Brito issued a one-out walk to Nick Tanielu. After striking out the next batter, Strahm singled to put two runners on base. The right-hander struck out Liam Hicks to end the inning.

Meanwhile, the Missions offense was held hitless across the fifth, sixth and seventh innings. Jose Leclerc, rehabbing for the Texas Rangers pitched the fifth inning. Michael Brewer was tasked with the sixth inning. Lastly, Juan Mejia tossed a scoreless frame in the seventh.

James Bourque pitched the ninth inning for the Missions. Frisco regained the lead with two runs on two hits. Bourque allowed a one-out walk to Acuna and a double to Carter. After striking out Saggese, a passed ball from Valenzuela allowed Acuna to score. Trevor Hauver singled to right field and scored Carter. Frisco took a 6-4 lead.

Grant Wolfram, after pitching the eighth for Frisco, remained in the game for the ninth inning. Didder and Valenzuela both struck out the start the inning. Justin Farmer flew out to end the game.

Post-Game Notes

* Final Score: 6-4

* With the loss, San Antonio falls to 3-2 & 40-34 on the season

* 1st series of the second half

* Jackson Wolf (#16 Padres prospect): DNP

* Alek Jacob (#26 Padres prospect): DNP

* Brandon Valenzuela (#29 Padres prospect): 1-4, K

* Bobby Milacki (Missions starter): ND, 5.0 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, BB, 4 K, HR

* Evan Carter (#1 Rangers prospect, #7 MLB): 1-4, 2B, 2 R, BB, K

* Luisangel Acuna (#3 Rangers prospect), #48 MLB): 2-4, 2 R, BB, K

* Noah Bremer (Frisco starter): ND, 2.1 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, BB, 3 K

The San Antonio Missions will wrap-up their six-game homestand with the Frisco RoughRiders on Monday, July 3rd. Right-hander Efrain Contreras (4-4, 5.18) is scheduled to pitch for the Missions. Frisco has not yet announced their starter for Monday. First pitch is slated for 6:05 p.m. from Nelson Wolff Stadium.

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