TL San Antonio Missions

Milone Walks It Off for the Missions in the 11th

Published on June 1, 2022 under Texas League (TL)
San Antonio Missions News Release


SAN ANTONIO - The Missions participated in their fifth extra innings game of the season. After blowing a 4-2 lead, the Missions pitched out of jams in the later innings to give themselves a chance. The first batter in the bottom of the 11th inning was Thomas Milone. With Rodriguez on second base, Milone hit a line drive to center field to score the winning run. The Missions win 5-4.

Thomas Eshelman was the starting pitcher for the San Antonio Missions. He allowed two base runners to reach in the top of the first inning with a walk to Jacob Amaya and a single to Andy Pages. Eshelman left those runners stranded.

In the top of the second inning, the Tulsa Drillers took a 1-0 lead. Devin Mann hit a lead-off single and advanced to second base on a ground out. Mann advanced to third base after Brandon Lewis hit a fly out. Mann came around to score after a single from Leonel Valera.

Clayton Beeter was the starting pitcher for the Tulsa Drillers. He retired the first three batters of the game but allowed two base hits in the second inning. Thomas Milone hit a single into right field and Tirso Ornelas singled to left field. With two runners on and two outs, Jorge Ona struck out swinging to end the inning.

The Missions used the long ball to take their first lead of the game in the bottom of the third inning. Connor Kaiser started off the inning with a line drive homer over the left field wall. Esteury Ruiz went back-to-back with Kaiser and hit a fly ball in nearly the same spot Kaiser hit his. After a Connor Hollis fly out, Domingo Leyba hit an inside-the-park home run. He hit a fly ball down the left field line and left fielder Ryan Ward took a hard fall trying to make the play. The play continued and Leyba was safe. The Missions took a 3-1.

The Tulsa Drillers cut into the deficit in the top of the fourth inning. With two outs in the inning, Justin Yurchak hit a double to left field. Lewis drove in Yurchak with a single to center field. The Missions still held a 3-2 lead.

San Antonio added an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth inning. Ruiz lead-off the inning by drawing a walk and then advanced to second base with a stolen base. After a pitching change, Ruiz stole third base. Leyba drew a walk and advanced to second base on a stolen base. Ruiz came around to score on a sacrifice fly from Yorman Rodriguez. The Missions took a 4-2 advantage.

Adrian Morejon continued his rehab assignment on Wednesday night. In relief of Eshelman, Morejon pitched the sixth and seventh innings. The southpaw allowed one baserunner, a walk to Lewis, and struck out two batters in two scoreless innings.

Tulsa completed their comeback attempt and tied the game in the top of the eighth inning. With Osvaldo Hernandez on the mound, James Outman started off the inning with a base hit. After recording the first out, Ryan Ward hit a double to right field. On the play, Outman was thrown out at home attempting to score. Ward advanced to third base while Outman was tagged out at the plate. With two outs in the inning, Andy Pages tied the game with a two-run home run.

Kevin Kopps came on to pitch the top of the ninth for the Missions. Kopps allowed a walk and a base hit during the inning and was replaced by Tom Cosgrove. Cosgrove walked the first batter he faced to load the bases with two outs. With Jacob Amaya at the dish, Cosgrove got him to fly out to end the inning.

In the top of the 10th inning, Amaya began the inning at second base and Cosgrove returned to the mound. The southpaw struck out Ward before issuing an intentional walk to Pages. Cosgrove struck out Hunter Feduccia but allowed a walk to Devin Mann. With the bases loaded and two outs, Justin Yurchak grounded out to end the inning.

Gus Varland came on the pitch the bottom of the 10th inning for Tulsa and Connor Kaiser was the placed runner at second base. Esteury Ruiz bunted into an out and Hollis struck out. Tulsa chose to intentionally walk Leyba and Rodriguez popped out in foul territory.

Mason Fox came on to pitch in the top of the 11th inning and Jeren Kendall was the placed runner at second base as a replacement for Yurchak. Fox struck out Lewis and retired Valera. The Missions elected to intentionally walk Outman and then Fox walked Amaya to load the bases. However, Ward grounded out to end the inning.

Jose Hernandez came on to pitch the bottom of the 11th inning and Rodriguez was the placed runner at second base. Thomas Milone wasted no time and hit a line drive into center field to win the game. The Missions came out victorious 5-4.

Post-Game Notes

With the win, San Antonio improves to 25-22 on the season

First inside-the-park home run for the Missions since April 12, 2019 (Tyler Saladino)

5th Extra innings game of the season (3-2)

Korry Howell (#13 Padres prospect): DNP

Kevin Kopps (#14 Padres prospect): 0.2 IP, H, BB, WP

Tirso Ornelas (#23 Padres prospect): 3-4, 2B

Esteury Ruiz (#29 Padres prospect): 1-4, HR, 2 R, RBI, 2 SB, BB, K

Adrian Morejon (Rehab Assignment): 2.0 IP, BB, 2 K (26 Pitches, 16 Strikes)

The San Antonio Missions will continue their six-game series with the Tulsa Drillers on Thursday, June 2nd. Left-hander Jason Blanchard (0-0, 3.60) is expected to start for the Missions. Right-hander Landon Knack (1-2, 2.81) is expected to start for the Drillers. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Check out the San Antonio Missions Statistics

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