Pitching and Defense Carry Missions to Game 2 Win
September 8, 2017 - Texas League (TL1)
San Antonio Missions News Release
Guerra's snag helps Missions even series
San Antonio got a big lift from Javier Guerra and strong work from the bullpen in a crucial 4-3 win over Midland in Game 2 of the Texas League South Division Series Thursday night at Wolff Stadium.
After a disappointing Game 1 on Wednesday, the Missions were poised to storm out of the gates Thursday. And they did just that, taking a 1-0 lead in the first against righty James Naile. Fernando Tatis Jr. and Luis Urias led off the frame with singles, setting Missions with runners on the corners. Naile then got Noah Perio to bang into a double play, but it scored Tatis Jr. for the game's first run.
Midland quickly tied the game at one in the second against Brett Kennedy when J.P. Sportman doubled in Viosergy Rosa.
In the bottom of the third, San Antonio tacked on two more against Naile (0-1) with a Ty France RBI-single and another run-producing double play, this time off the bat of Nick Torres. Urias extended the San Antonio lead to 4-1 in the fourth with an RBI-single that scored Guerra, who had began the rally with a double to right center.
Midland trimmed its deficit to two in the fifth against Kennedy when Jorge Mateo scored Sportman from second with a single to left. However, the RockHounds had a chance to do much more. After a Jordan Tarsovich walk loaded the bases, Jermaine Curtis shot a line drive which seemed destined to sail into left for a game-tying single. Fortunately for the Missions, an alert Guerra made a sensational play deep in the hole at short to corral the liner and end the threat.
Rosa, who dominated the Missions in Game 1 with two homers and 8 RBI, went deep again in the sixth against Kennedy, cutting the San Antonio lead to just one. Kennedy (1-0) would retire Sheldon Neuse for the first out of the inning before giving way to the bullpen.
As usual, the San Antonio pen came up big as Eric Yardley, Brad Wieck and Trey Wingenter (save) combined to keep Midland off the board over the final three and two-thirds innings, while surrendering no walks and just one hit.
San Antonio and Midland resume the TLDS on Friday with Game 3 from Security Bank Ballpark. First pitch in Midland is slated for 7:00 PM. Lefty Joey Lucchesi (5-3, 1.79) will get the ball for the Missions, while the 'Hounds counter with right-hander Grant Holmes (11-12, 4.49).
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