Missions Split Wednesday Night Doubleheader
May 10, 2023 - Texas League (TL)
San Antonio Missions News Release
SAN ANTONIO - The San Antonio Missions began their seven-game series with the Corpus Christi Hooks. The two clubs played a doubleheader to make up the lost game on April 23rd in Corpus Christi. Game one ended up going to the Hooks after plating five runs on 10 hits. For game two, the Missions offense lead the way with five runs on eight hits. The pitching staff allowed one run on two hits in game two.
The pitching matchup for game one was Duncan Snider for the Missions and Rhett Kouba for the Hooks. The Missions offense got to Kouba in the bottom of the first inning. Ripken Reyes started off the frame with a single and advanced to second on a ground out. Pedro Castellanos drove in Reyes with a single to left field. He advanced to third base on the play. Daniel Johnson drove in Castellanos with a single to left field. San Antonio gained a 2-0 advantage.
The Hooks had their first runner in scoring position during the top of the second inning. Quincy Hamilton reached base on a one-out single. With two outs in the frame, Scott Schreiber reached base on an infield single. Chandler Seagle picked off Schreiber at first base to end the inning.
A baserunner mistake spoiled a scoring opportunity for the Missions in the bottom of the second inning. Ray-Patrick Didder singled before being forced out at second base. With Jorge Ona now at first base, Seagle hit a single to snap his 0-for-27 hitless streak. Ona was picked off and caught in a rundown between third and second. On the play, he retreated to second base and he and Seagle were both tagged out.
Corpus Christi tied the game in the top of the third inning. Colin Barber started the inning with a single. Snider allowed back-to-back walks to load the bases. Catcher interference on Seagle plated the first run of the inning. Shay Whitcomb drove in the second run with a sacrifice fly. The game was tied 2-2.
Corpus Christi gained their first lead of the game in the top of the fifth inning. Barber started the frame with a base hit and C.J. Stubbs drew a walk. After recording the first out of the inning, Snider was replaced by Edwuin Bencomo. Drew Gilbert flew out or the second out of the inning. Shay Whitcomb drove in Barber with a base hit to center field. Joey Joperfido made it a 4-2 game after hitting a single to right field.
The Hooks used the long ball for an insurance run in the top of the sixth inning. With two outs in the frame, Barber hit a line drive over the right field wall. His third long ball of the season made it a 5-2 Hooks lead.
Corpus Christi loaded the bases in the top of the seventh inning. Facing Alek Jacob, Will Wagner hit a single and Gilbert doubled. After striking out the next batter, Loperfido was intentionally walked to load the bases. Jacob struck out Hamilton for the second out. Kenedy Corona popped out to end the scoring threat.
San Antonio threatened to comeback in the bottom of the ninth inning. With Kouba still on the mound, Connor Hollis singled with one out. The right-hander was replaced by Tyler Brown. Brown walked the first batter he faced to put two runners on with one out. Jorge Ona flew out and Hollis advanced to third base. Michael De La Cruz pinch hit for Seagle and represented the tying run. He flew out to end the game.
For game two, the pitching matchup was Jose Espada for the Missions against Colton Gordon for the Hooks. With the Hooks as the home team, they jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Hamilton started the frame with a double and advanced to third on a ground out. Whitcomb drove him in with a double to right field.
San Antonio captured the lead in the top half of the second inning. Hollis drew a walk and De La Cruz to start the frame. With runners on the corners, Luis Aviles Jr. struck out swinging. Jorge Ona drove in Hollis with a single to center field. Brantley Bell drove in De La Cruz with a single to left field. Ona came in to score on a sacrifice bunt from Ripken Reyes. The Missions took a 3-1 lead.
In his first start of the season, Espada lasted three innings while allowing one run. He surrendered two hits and struck out three batters. Seth Mayberry took over for the Missions in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Gordon, the #8 prospect in the Astros organization according to MLB.com, tossed five innings for the Hooks. The southpaw allowed three runs on five hits while walking two batters and striking out four. He was replaced by Diosmerky Taveras in the top of the sixth inning.
San Antonio added to their lead in the top of the sixth inning. With one out in the frame, Hollis reached base on a fielding error. He came around to score on a double from De La Cruz. San Antonio improved their lead to 4-1.
The Missions plated their fifth run of the game in the top of the seventh inning. Bell began the frame with a double to left field and advanced to third base on a fly out. Juan Fernandez drove him in with a base hit to center field. The Missions increased their lead to 5-1.
Post-Game Notes
* Final Score (Game One): 5-2
* Final Score (Game Two): 5-1
* With the doubleheader split, San Antonio is now 12-16 on the season
* Game Two the Missions were the visiting team due to the April 23rd rainout
* Seagle: Snapped 0-for-27 hitless streak in game one
* Jackson Wolf (#16 Padres prospect): Scheduled to pitch May 14th
* Alek Jacob (#26 Padres prospect): 1.0 IP, 2 H, BB, 2 K
* Tirso Ornelas (#28 Padres prospect): 0-6, 4 K
* Duncan Snider (Game One Starter): L, 4.1 IP, 5 H, 4 R (3 ER), 3 BB, K
* Jose Espada (Game Two Starter): ND, 3.0 IP, 2 H, ER, 3 K
* Drew Gilbert (#1 Astros prospect): 1-6, 2B, RBI, K
* Colin Barber (#3 Astros prospect): 3-3, HR, RBI, 3 R
* Rhett Kouba (Game One Starter): W, 6.1 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 3 K
* Colton Gordon (#8 Astros prospect, Game Two Starter): L, 5.0 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
The San Antonio Missions will continue their homestand with the Corpus Christi Hooks on Thursday, May 11th. Right-hander Efrain Contreras (0-4, 6.50) is scheduled to pitch for the Missions. Left-hander Julio Robaina (1-4, 4.95) is scheduled to pitch for the Hooks. First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m. from Nelson Wolff Stadium.
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