Rivas Drives in Seven as Missions Explode for 18 Runs, 3rd Consecutive Victory
July 15, 2022 - Texas League (TL)
San Antonio Missions News Release
SAN ANTONIO - Entering Friday night on a two-game winning streak, the Missions offense put up a season high 18 runs highlighted by a career night from Webster Rivas. The veteran catcher drove in a career high seven runs while going 4-for-6 at the plate. San Antonio also used the long ball to their advantage as they slugged four home runs during the evening. The club scored their most runs since June 18, 2019 when they scored 19 runs against Reno. The Missions won their third consecutive game with a final score of 18-7.
Slade Cecconi was the starting pitcher for the Amarillo Sod Poodles. The Missions offense attacked the right hander and scored twice on three runs in the top of the first inning. After recording the first two outs of the game, Cecconi allowed a solo home run to Domingo Leyba. Following the long ball, Yorman Rodriguez hit a single to keep the inning alive. Webster Rivas drove in Rodriguez with a double to right field. The Missions took a 2-0 lead.
Ben Krauth was the starting pitcher for the Missions. He had to pitch out of a jam in the bottom of the first inning to keep the lead intact. After retiring the first two batters he faced, Leandro Cedeno and Eduardo Diaz hit back-to-back singles. With two runners on base and two outs, Tim Tawa grounded out to end the inning.
San Antonio increased their lead in the top of the third inning. Connor Hollis began the inning by drawing a walk before stealing second base. Hollis came around to score on a single from Thomas Milone. The Missions had a 3-0 advantage.
Amarillo scored their first run of the game in the bottom of the third inning. Cedeno picked up his second hit of the game with a base hit to left field. After recording the second out of the inning, Krauth allowed a base hit to Tawa. Nick Dalesandro put Amarillo on the board with an RBI single to left field. Amarillo cut the Missions lead to 3-1.
The Sod Poodles tied the game in the bottom of the fourth inning. Andy Yerzy was the first batter of the inning and he drew a walk. On the first pitch of the next at-bat, Drew Stankiewicz hit a two-run home run over the left field wall. His seventh long ball of the season made it a 3-3 ballgame.
The Missions regained the lead in the top of the fifth inning. With Kenny Hernandez on the mound, Hollis welcomed him to the game with a double to right field. Milone struck out and Hollis successfully stole third base. Leyba hit a ground ball to Stankiewicz at shortstop. On the play, he attempted to throw out Hollis at home but the throw was offline, allowing Hollis to score. The Missions took a 4-3 lead.
Mason Fox, after replacing Krauth in the bottom of the fourth inning, had to pitch out of a jam in the bottom of the fifth inning. The right-hander allowed a lead-off walk to Tawa. After a line out and a ground out, Tawa was at second base with two outs. He advanced to third base on a wild pitch from Fox. With the game-tying run on third base, Yerzy flew out to keep the Missions lead at 4-3.
San Antonio had a chance to improve their lead in the top of the sixth inning. After back-to-back strikeouts to start the inning, Juan Fernandez drew a walk and Ripken Reyes was hit by a pitch. With two runners on base and two outs, Chandler Seagle struck out looking to end the inning.
The Missions improved their lead with a four-run inning in the top of the seventh inning. Facing Ty Tice, Milone hit a one-out single. After recording the second out of the inning, Rodriguez hit a single to extend the inning. Rivas showed off his power with a three-run home run to left field. Ornelas hit a double after the Rivas home run and came around to score on a single from Fernandez. The Missions extended their lead to 8-3.
The offense continued to score runs in the top of the eighth inning. Facing Jake Rice, Milone hit a two-out solo home run over the right field wall. The inning continued as Leyba drew a walk and Rodriguez hit a single. On the play, Leyba advanced to third base and Rodriguez advanced to second base on a throwing error. Rivas drove in both runners with a single to right field. He finished the night with six runs driven in, a new career high for the veteran catcher. He is the first Missions player since Agustin Ruiz (7) on August 11, 2021 to drive in seven runs in a game. San Antonio increased their lead to 11-3.
After Amarillo scored a run in the bottom of the eighth inning, the Missions significantly improved their lead with seven runs on just three hits. The Missions loaded the bases with the first three batters of the inning. Hollis drove in a run with a base hit. Milone drove in a run by drawing a bases-loaded walk. Liu Fuenmayor, who began the inning, was replaced by position player Roby Enriquez. He allowed a run to score after walking Kelvin Melean with the bases loaded. Rodriguez grounded into a double play which allowed Hollis to score. Rivas drove in his seventh run of the game with a double. Lastly, Ornelas hit a solo home run to make it an 18-3 lead.
Felix Minjarez pitched the bottom of the ninth inning for San Antonio. He allowed three runs on four hits. Fox recorded his fourth win of the season after replacing Krauth and Kevin Kopps allowed one run in two innings of work.
Post-Game Notes
With the win, San Antonio improves to 45-38 (overall), 7-9 (2nd half) on the season
Most runs scored in a game this season, most since June 18, 2019 (19 runs)
Rivas: Career high 7 RBI, most RBI in a single game for a Missions player this season
Kevin Kopps (#13 Padres prospect): 2.0 IP, H, ER, BB, HR
Reggie Lawson (#16 Padres prospect): DNP
Tirso Ornelas (#22 Padres prospect): 2-6, HR, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R, 2 K
The San Antonio Missions will continue their six-game series with the Amarillo Sod Poodles on Saturday, July 16th. Right-hander Nolan Watson (2-4, 6.04) is scheduled to pitch for the Missions. Right-hander Brandon Pfaadt (5-5, 4.48) is scheduled to pitch for the Sod Poodles. First pitch is expected at 7:05 p.m. from Hodgetown.
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