Offense Erupts for Missions in Opener
Published on June 7, 2017 under Texas League (TL1)
San Antonio Missions News Release
Michael Kelly continued his stellar pitching stretch and got plenty of help from his offense as San Antonio rolled past Midland 8-2 in Tuesday night's series opener at Wolff Stadium.
The Missions had the right pitcher on the bump Tuesday to start the most anticipated homestand of the season. Michael Kelly entered play, fresh off a month of May in which he went 3-0 with a 1.95 ERA over six starts, picked up right where he left off.
The Boynton Beach, FL native allowed just one run on three hits and two walks, while punching out eight over six strong innings. Kelly (5-1) threw 66 of his 104 pitches for strikes and did not allow his first hit until a J.P. Sportman single to lead off the fifth. Midland's only run off the righty came later in the fifth on an Andy Paz double.
As good as Kelly was, the San Antonio offense was even better. All nine starters collected hits in the win, including three-hit efforts from red-hot Ty France, catcher Stephen McGee and shortstop Jose Rondon .
The Missions jumped lefty Evan Manarino (1-1) for three in the first, capped by France's first hit of the night. France had knocked in a career-high six run in Sunday's win at Springfield. Three innings later, Rondon singled home McGee to up the lead to 4-0.
Nick Torres gave San Antonio a 5-1 lead in the fifth when he followed an Alberth Martinez one-out double with a single to left. Torres broke the game open in the seventh when he drilled reliever Kyle Friedrichs ' 1-2 pitch deep onto the berm in left for a three-run shot. It was Torres' fourth dinger of 2017.
San Antonio racked up 16 hits in the victory, one shy of its season high.
Midland capped scoring in the eighth with an unearned run off Cesar Vargas . Mission pitching combined for 13 strikeouts.
San Antonio (32-25) continues its four-game series with Midland (29-28) Wednesday on Military Appreciation Night presented by Bluebonnet Ford. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM. Enyel De Los Santos (2-3, 4.88) gets the ball for the Missions, while the 'Hounds counter with fellow righty Heath Fillmyer (2-2, 3.75).
Texas League Stories from June 7, 2017
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- Riders Strike out 12 Hooks But Drop Series Opener 5-1 - Frisco RoughRiders
- 'Hounds Drop Series Opener at San Antonio - Midland RockHounds
- Hooks Trip Up Frisco - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Offense Erupts for Missions in Opener - San Antonio Missions
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