Missions Win Season-High Fifth Consecutive Game
August 19, 2022 - Texas League (TL)
San Antonio Missions News Release
SAN ANTONIO - Following Wednesday night's 20-run outburst, the Missions were held to one run through the first five innings on Thursday night. With the game tied at one, San Antonio plated five runs in the sixth inning to capture the lead. Northwest Arkansas battled late and cut the deficit to three runs in the ninth inning. San Antonio held on for an 8-5 victory and secured their fifth consecutive win.
After being reinstated from the Development List, Alec Marsh got the start Thursday night for Northwest Arkansas. He pitched a scoreless first inning before surrendering the first run of the game in the top of the second inning. Yorman Rodriguez began the inning with a base hit. Webster Rivas drove him in with a single to right field. The Missions gained a 1-0 lead.
Noel Vela was the starting pitcher for the Missions. He was making his second start since joining the club last week. He also pitched a scoreless first inning before allowing a run in the second. Seuly Matias began the inning with a base hit. After a strikeout and a walk, Morgan McCullough drove in Matias with a single to right-center field. It was a 1-1 ballgame.
San Antonio threatened to regain the lead in the following inning. With two outs, Tirso Ornelas hit a single and Juan Fernandez drew a walk. Rodriguez popped out to end the scoring threat.
Northwest Arkansas had a scoring opportunity in the bottom of the fourth inning. With one out in the inning, Jake Means and Sebastian Rivero drew back-to-back walks. A ground out moved both runners into scoring position. Vela struck out Angelo Castellano to keep the game tied.
The Naturals had another chance to take the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Tyler Gentry and John Rave both reached base with singles. Vela left the runners stranded after inducing a ground out from Matias.
Asa Lacy took the mound for the Naturals in the top of the sixth inning. A lack of command allowed the Missions to score five runs on just one hit during the frame. Lacy loaded the bases after issuing walks to Fernandez, Rodriguez, and Rivas. The southpaw walked in a run after issuing a free pass to Ethan Skender. Kelvin Melean drove in two runs with a single to right field. Skender came in to score on a fielder's choice from Ripken Reyes. Melean scored the final run of the inning as Matthew Acosta hit into a double play. The Missions took a 6-1 lead.
Vela was replaced by Moises Lugo in the bottom of the sixth inning. In his second Double-A start, the Texan allowed one run on five hits while striking out six batters. He recorded his first win with the Missions.
The Missions added their seventh run of the game in the top of the seventh inning. Facing Emilio Marquez, Fernandez hit a single and Rodriguez drew a walk. After recording the second out of the inning, Skender drove in Fernandez with a base hit to right-center field. San Antonio improved their lead to 7-1.
With an 8-1 lead, the Missions turned to Kevin Kopps in the bottom of the eighth inning. The Naturals used the long ball to cut into the deficit against the right-hander. The inning started with a walk to Rob Glendinning. After striking out the next batter, Matias reached base on a throwing error from Melean. On a 1-1 count, Jake Means hit a three-run home run to left field. His ninth long ball of the season made it an 8-4 Missions lead.
Kopps came back out for the bottom of the ninth inning but did not finish the inning. After retiring the leadoff batter, he allowed a single to Tyler Gentry and he hit Glendinning with a pitch. Kopps threw a wild pitch and walked John Rave before being replaced by Fred Schlichtholz. The southpaw allowed a run to score on a sacrifice fly. He converted his second save of the season after getting Means to fly out to center field.
Post-Game Notes
* With the win, San Antonio improves to 21-21 (2nd half), 59-50 (overall) on the season
* Noel Vela (#12 Padres prospect): W, 5.0 IP, 5 H, ER, 4 BB, 8 K
* Tirso Ornelas (#20 Padres prospect): 1-4, BB
* Kevin Kopps (#25 Padres prospect): 1.1 IP, 3 H, 4 R (3 ER), 2 BB, 2 K
* Moises Lugo (#30 Padres prospect): 2.0 IP, BB
The San Antonio Missions will continue their six-game series with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Friday, August 19th. Right-hander Nolan Watson (4-4, 4.98) is scheduled to pitch for the Missions. Right-hander Andrew Hoffmann (1-3, 6.85) is scheduled to pitch for the Naturals. First pitch is expected at 7:05 p.m. from Arvest Ballpark.
Texas League Stories from August 19, 2022
- Gossett No-Hits Drillers in 3-0 Loss - Tulsa Drillers
- Hooks Rally for Third Straight Win - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Amarillo Drops Friday Night Clash - Amarillo Sod Poodles
- Travs Thrash Cardinals, 15-1 - Arkansas Travelers
- Travelers Offense Erupts, Cardinals Fall 15-1 - Springfield Cardinals
- Strahm Launches Homer in Loss - Frisco RoughRiders
- Gossett No-Hits Tulsa - Wichita Wind Surge
- Star Wars and Bucket Hat Homestand Begins Tuesday, August 23rd - San Antonio Missions
- Nastrini and Drillers Top Wichita - Tulsa Drillers
- Naturals and Missions Combine for 35 Runs in 20-15 Loss to San Antonio - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Marsh Deals Five One-Run Innings but Naturals' Rally Falls Short in Ninth - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Wild Pitch Walks off Cards over Travs - Arkansas Travelers
- Cardinals Walk off the Travelers 5-4 - Springfield Cardinals
- Missions Win Season-High Fifth Consecutive Game - 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.
