Melean Forces Extras, Flying Chanclas Fall to Wichita in 10 Innings
Published on August 7, 2022 under Texas League (TL)
San Antonio Missions News Release
SAN ANTONIO - In front of a crowd of nearly 5,500 fans, the Flying Chanclas took the field for the series finale against the Wichita Wind Surge. Both clubs were held scoreless until the seventh inning. After trailing 1-0, a pinch-hit single from Kelvin Melean forced extra innings. In the 10th inning, Wichita regained the lead and clinched a series victory. Final score on Sunday night was 2-1.
Nolan Watson was the starting pitcher for the Flying Chanclas. He was forced to pitch out of a jam in the top of the first inning. Leadoff hitter Edouard Julien reached base on a fielding error from Fernando Tatis Jr. Yunior Severino followed that up with a double to right field. Jair Camargo reached base on a fielder's choice. On the play, he hit a ground ball to first base and Yorman Rodriguez threw it home to record the out on Julien. Watson retired the next two batters to end the inning.
Tatis Jr. batted leadoff for the Chanclas and was the starting shortstop. Facing Wichita starter Casey Legumina, Tatis Jr. grounded out to first base in his first at-bat of the night.
Watson utilized the strikeout to strand a runner in scoring position in the top of the third inning. With one out in the inning, he allowed a double to Yunior Severino. The right-hander struck out the next two batters to end the inning.
In the bottom of the third inning, San Antonio had their first scoring opportunity. Chandler Seagle hit a one out double down the left field line. Tatis Jr. was the next batter. His second at-bat of the night ended with a fly out to center field. Tirso Ornelas lined out to leave Seagle stranded.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Tatis Jr. had his third at-bat of the night. Facing Alex Phillips, he grounded out to his counterpart at shortstop to end the inning. Following that at-bat, he was replaced by Connor Kaiser and his night was done.
In the top of the sixth inning, Osvaldo Hernandez had to pitch out of trouble to keep the shutout alive. With one out in the inning, he allowed a single to Chris Williams before a balk advanced him to second base. A fly ball from Andrew Bechtold allowed Williams to advance to third base. Hernandez retired the final batter of the inning to leave the runner stranded.
Watson finished the night after five innings of work. He allowed no runs on four hits while issuing one walk. Watson struck out five batters during the outing.
Legumina matched Watson and pitched four shutout innings. He allowed two hits and one walk while striking out three batters.
Both teams were held scoreless through the first six innings of play. The Wind Surge plated the first run of the game in the top of the seventh inning. Facing Kevin Kopps, Anthony Prato began the inning with a double. After a failed sacrifice bunt attempt, a wild pitch from Kopps advanced Prato to third base. After recording the second out of the inning, Julien drove in Prato with a single to right-center field. Wichita took a 1-0 lead.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Andrew Cabezas came on to pitch for the Wind Surge. Yorman Rodriguez, the leadoff batter, grounded out for the first out. Webster Rivas drew a walk to extend his on-base streak. Alison Quintero pinch-ran for Rivas. Quintero advanced to second base as Juan Fernandez grounded into a fielder's choice. Bryan Sammons came on to pitch for Wichita with Quintero on second and two outs. Kelvin Melean pinch hit for Jack Stronach. Melean tied the game with an RBI single to right field.
In the top of the 10th inning, Angel Felipe remained on the mound after pitching the ninth inning. Leobaldo Cabrera was the placed runner at second base. Felipe struck out Julien for the first out. Severino grounded out and Cabrera advanced to third base. Jair Camargo drove in Cabrera with a single to right field. He struck out Chris Williams to end the inning. The Chanclas trailed 2-1.
In the bottom of the 10th inning, Sammons remained on the mound and Ripken Reyes was the placed runner at second base. Wyatt Ulrich laid down a bunt single and advanced Reyes to third base. Seagle attempted a squeeze play and laid down a bunt. However, Reyes was tagged out at home for the first out. With runners on first and second base, Francis Peguero took over on the mound for Sammons. Connor Kaiser flew out for the second out of the inning. Ornelas grounded out to end the game.
*Post-Game Notes *
With the loss, San Antonio falls to 14-19 (2nd half), 52-48 (overall) on the season
Fernando Tatis Jr.: Batting leadoff at shortstop, 0-3 with two putouts in the field
Webster Rivas: 25-game on-base streak (all 25 games he has played with the Missions)
8th extra innings game of the season (3-5)
Kevin Kopps (#10 Padres prospect): 1.0 IP, 2 H, ER, K
Reggie Lawson (#12 Padres prospect): DNP
Tirso Ornelas (#18 Padres prospect): 0-5, K
The San Antonio Missions will have the day off on Monday before hitting the road for a two-week road trip. The Missions will begin a six-game series with the Frisco RoughRiders on Tuesday, August 9th. The pitching matchups have not yet been determined. First pitch is expected at 7:05 p.m. from Riders Field.
Texas League Stories from August 7, 2022
- Drillers Split Series with Sunday Loss - Tulsa Drillers
- Surge Take Series Finale in Extras - Wichita Wind Surge
- Frisco Falls in Finale, Takes Five of Six from Amarillo - Frisco RoughRiders
- Sod Poodles Avoid Sweep, Win Finale in Frisco - Amarillo Sod Poodles
- Melean Forces Extras, Flying Chanclas Fall to Wichita in 10 Innings - San Antonio Missions
- Cards Rally to Win in 10 - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Hoffmann Fires Six One-Run Innings for First Double-A Victory as Naturals End Series against Tulsa with an 8-1 Win - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- RockHounds Rally to Stun Travs - Arkansas Travelers
- Cards Close Series with 3-2 Win in 10 Innings on Sunday - Springfield Cardinals
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