Missions stun Naturals on Jones' walk-off in ninth
Published on June 5, 2015 under Texas League (TL1)
San Antonio Missions News Release
Duanel Jones delivered a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth to cap off San Antonio's improbable 8-7 win over Northwest Arkansas in front of 6,357 Friday night at Wolff Stadium.
The early stages of Friday night's contest looked like a classic Wolff pitchers' duel, with San Antonio's Justin Hancock and Northwest Arkansas' Christian Binford matching perfect innings through two.
However, things changed dramatically for Hancock in the top of the third, an inning in which he allowed six runs on five hits, capped by Jorge Bonifacio's two-run dinger to left. The reigning Texas League Pitcher of the Week had a scoreless streak of 14 innings heading into the third.
San Antonio got one run back after opening the bottom of the frame with four straight singles, the last of which off the bat of Travis Jankowski.
After the Naturals pushed their lead back to six in the top of the sixth with their seventh run off Hancock, the Missions got back into the game in their half with a four-run rally. San Antonio began the frame with three straight hits, the third an RBI single by Jones that made the score 7-2. Two batters later, Luis Domoromo trimmed the deficit to four with a run-producing groundout. Jankowski (2-for-5) followed with another RBI single, giving him his second multi-RBI game of the season. The single also ended the night for Binford. Alberth Martinez capped the rally with a sacrifice fly off Binford's replacement, Matt Murray.
The Missions looked like they were headed for a sure loss in the ninth against right-hander Aroni Nina. With Martinez on second, Nina (2-2) fanned Hunter Renfroe for the second out of the inning. Next batter, Diego Goris kept the inning alive, and cut the San Antonio deficit to 7-6, when he singled in Martinez. Goris would advance to third when Yeison Asencio doubled down the right-field line. That brought up Jones, who ended the game when he ripped a single up the middle.
Dennis O'Grady (1-2) earned the win for the Missions with a scoreless top of the ninth.
The Missions overcame two different six-run deficits Friday. They had not come back from more than a two-run deficit at any point this season heading in.
San Antonio (23-30) resumes its three-game series against Northwest Arkansas (32-20) Saturday with first pitch slated for 7:05 PM. Following the game there will be a special fireworks show courtesy of Mission Mitsubishi. Right-hander Bryan Rodriguez (3-7, 3.91) will get the ball for the Missions, while the Naturals counter with southpaw Jonathan Dziedzic (2-3, 3.38).
Texas League Stories from June 5, 2015
- Offense Delivers Again as Missions Take Series - San Antonio Missions
- Hazelbaker and Cardinals Drill RockHounds, 6-2 - Springfield Cardinals
- Riders Spoil De Leon's Debut Before Record Crowd - Tulsa Drillers
- Missions stun Naturals on Jones' walk-off in ninth - San Antonio Missions
- Travelers Take Series Opener - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Early Offense Not Enough as Missions Rally Late in 8-7 Loss - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Mazara, Robinson Go Yard as Riders Roll - Frisco RoughRiders
- RoughRiders' Recent Community Initiatives Achieve Tremendous Success - Frisco RoughRiders
- Arkansas Travelers Game to be Televised on American Sports Network Locally - Arkansas Travelers
- Just Doing a Little Sweeping at Midnight - Midland RockHounds
- Drillers Lose in Extra Innings in Olivera's Debut - Tulsa Drillers
- Missions' Bats Stay Hot in Win over Travs - Arkansas Travelers
- Evans Blast Downs Hooks - Corpus Christi Hooks
- RoughRiders Avoid Sweep with Hard-Fought 8-7 Win - Springfield Cardinals
- Adams' Big Night Powers Riders to Victory - Frisco RoughRiders
- San Antonio Takes Series as Offense Stays Hot - San Antonio Missions
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
