TL1 San Antonio Missions

Missions Take First Game of Series 4-2

Published on May 23, 2013 under Texas League (TL1)
San Antonio Missions News Release


In the opening game of their six-game homestand, the San Antonio Missions edged the Arkansas Travelers 4-2 before 4,135 fans.

The Missions got the scoring started in the bottom of the third when Jeudy Valdez led off with a double, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Adam Buschini, then came home on a soft, line-drive single by Reymond Fuentes.

Arkansas responded in the top of the fourth, taking a 2-1 lead against San Antonio starter Keyvius Sampson, who needed 31 pitches to get out of the frame.

Valdez and Buschini played a key role in the Missions taking the lead back for good in the bottom of the fifth. Once again, Valdez got the rally started with a leadoff hit, this time a triple. Buschini followed with an RBI double to left, tying the game at two. After Travs starter Matt Oye (4-3) got Fuentes to ground out, Rico Noel put the Missions ahead 3-2 with an RBI single to right.

San Antonio upped their lead to 4-2 in the bottom of the seventh, an inning that began with a leadoff walk from A.J. Kirby-Jones. Reigning Texas League Player of the Week Kalian Sams entered the game as a pinch-runner for Kirby-Jones and quickly moved up two bases on Valdez's season-high, third hit of the night, a single to right. Next batter, Buschini bounced into a double play, but it allowed Sams to score from third with the final run of the night.

Relievers Josh Geer, Jeff Ibarra and Matt Stites got the Missions through the sixth-through-eighth innings before Kevin Quackenbush notched his seventh save of the season with a perfect ninth.

Sampson (2-3) earned his second win in as many starts after allowing just two runs on three hits, adding five strikeouts in his five innings of work.

The Missions and Travelers resume their three-game series Thursday at Wolff Stadium, with first pitch set for 7:05 PM on Cricket Dollar Night presented by News 4 WOAI.

Notes: Noel joined Valdez tonight in the three-hit club. It was his first three-hit game since May 7 vs. Corpus Christi. Tonight's win gave the Missions their third straight win at home, matching their season-high.

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