TL San Antonio Missions

RockHounds Break Game Open Late to Clinch Series Win

August 19, 2023 - Texas League (TL)
San Antonio Missions News Release


SAN ANTONIO - The San Antonio Missions continued their six-game series with the Midland RockHounds on Saturday night. A close battle throughout got away from the Missions late. The RockHounds plated five runs in the ninth to place an exclamation point on an 8-1 victory that also clinched the series win for Midland.

Jairo Iriarte got the start for the Missions while Joelvis Del Rosario took the mound for the RockHounds. Iriarte set down the first three batters he faced while Del Rosario stranded a two-out double.

Midland made their initial attack in the second inning. A hit-by-pitch and a walk began the trouble before Jack Winkler blooped a run-scoring single to left field. A balk followed by a passed ball allowed another RockHound to cross home, giving Midland a 2-0 lead.

Iriarte recorded one out in the third inning before being replaced by Michel Baez. The new right-hander hit and walked batters who moved into scoring position with two outs. Cameron Masterman hit the ball sharply to center, but Korry Howell read it well and made the catch to end the inning.

The RockHounds continued their pursuit in the fourth. Caeden Trenkle led off with a double and scampered home on another Winkler RBI single. This forced San Antonio to turn to a new pitcher in the form of Raul Brito. San Antonio's newest hurler got out of the inning, but Midland extended their lead to 3-0.

Daniel Johnson became the first Mission to reach second when he began the bottom of the fourth with a two-bagger. He advanced to third but failed to score as Del Rosario forced two groundouts and a lineout.

With two outs in the fifth, Ripken Reyes made history. He was hit for the 44th time this season, breaking the single-season Minor League Baseball record. Reyes reaching did more than just set a milestone, as Reyes hustled home on Jackson Merrill's double, so Midland's lead stood at 3-1 after five innings of play.

Brito remained on the mound in the sixth. A double and a walk made for a scary start to the frame. However, Brito sent the next three RockHounds back to the dugout to keep it a two-run Midland advantage.

Johnson again sought to spark a rally when he kicked off the bottom of the sixth with a single. Del Rosario, still in the game during his Double-A debut, thwarted the threat with three consecutive outs.

Midland finally turned to a fresh arm in the seventh as Jack Cushing entered from the bullpen. Juan Zabala and Merrill peppered singles to fill the corners, but Cushing induced a weak fly ball to end the inning harmlessly.

San Antonio called on Jason Blanchard to hold the deficit at two, and he did just that in the eighth. Cushing did the same for Midland, so the game remained 3-1 in favor of the Rockhounds heading to the ninth inning.

Back out for the ninth, Blanchard this time ran into some problems. Midland loaded the bases with nobody out thanks to a walk, a single and a hit-by-pitch. Drew Swift walked and Max Muncy singled, each bringing home a run. Consecutive sacrifice flies sandwiched around an error proceeded to blow things open as the RockHounds led 8-1.

Cushing finished off the ninth and secured a save in the 8-1 win. He also clinched a series victory for the RockHounds

Post-Game Notes

Final Score: 8-1

With the loss, San Antonio falls to 20-43 & 57-56 on the season

Reyes: 44 HBP (Set single-season MiLB record)

Jackson Merrill (#2 Padres prospect, #9 MLB): 2-3, RBI

Jairo Iriarte (#6 Padres prospect): 2.1 IP, H, 2 R (ER), BB, 5 K

Adam Mazur (#7 Padres prospect): DNP

Ryan Bergert (#16 Padres prospect): DNP

Marcos Castanon (#23 Padres prospect): 0-4

Max Muncy (#10 Athletics prospect): 1-4, RBI

Joelvis Del Rosario (RockHounds starter): 6 IP, 5 H, ER, 5 K

The San Antonio Missions will conclude their six-game homestand with the Midland RockHounds on Sunday, August 20th. Right-hander Jared Kollar (1-1, 4.78) is scheduled to pitch for the Missions. The RockHounds have not yet announced their starting pitcher. Sunday's First pitch is slated for 1:05 p.m. from Nelson Wolff Stadium.

Check out the San Antonio Missions Statistics



Texas League Stories from August 19, 2023


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