TL San Antonio Missions

San Antonio Forces Series Split with Comeback Win

August 13, 2023 - Texas League (TL)
San Antonio Missions News Release


SAN ANTONIO - The San Antonio Missions concluded their six-game series with the Springfield Cardinals on Sunday night. Entering the final game of their two-week road trip, the Missions had a chance to split the series with the Cardinals. After trading home runs in the early third of the game, the Missions plated two runs in the sixth and eighth innings to cap-off the series finale. San Antonio clinched a 5-4 victory.

Jake Woodford was the starting pitcher for Springfield as he continued his rehab assignment. San Antonio gained an early lead courtesy of a solo homer in the first inning. With two men down, Tirso Ornelas launched a fly ball over the right field wall for his 10th long ball of the year. Ornelas gave the Missions a 1-0 lead.

The Missions put a runner in scoring position during the top of the second inning. Woodford retired the first two batters of the inning before allowing a double to Juan Zabala. With a chance to extend the lead, Alison Quintero struck out to end the scoring threat.

Jared Kollar was the starting pitcher for the Missions. After a scoreless first frame, the Cardinals gained the lead in the bottom of the second inning. With one out in the inning, Kollar issued a walk to Chandler Redmond. Jacob Buchberger, on the first pitch of the at-bat, homered to left-center field. His 15th long ball of the season made it a 2-1 lead for Springfield.

Springfield loaded the bases in the bottom of the third inning. With one man down, Noah Mendlinger and Pedro Pages hit back-to-back singles. Arquimedes Gamboa made it three consecutive base hits and put three runners on base. A strikeout and a fly out ended the inning and kept it a 2-1 ballgame.

The Cardinals added an insurance run in the fourth inning. Irving Lopez drew a walk to start the frame. Jose Alvarez singled and Lopez advanced to third base. Victor Scott II grounded into a double play and Lopez came in to score. Springfield improved their lead to 3-1.

The Missions evened the score in the top of the sixth inning. With one out in the inning, Ornelas singled ahead of Daniel Johnson. The veteran outfielder tied the game with his 13th home run of the season.

Springfield captured the lead in the seventh inning. Facing Efrain Conteras, Mendlinger drew a one-out walk. Pedro Pages grounded into a force out with Mendlinger out at second base. Contreras issued a walk to Gamboa and Lake Bachar took over on the mound. Redmond drove in Pages with a base hit to right field. The Cardinals took a 4-3 lead.

The Missions used the long ball once again to grab the lead in the eighth inning. Facing Logan Gragg, Jackson Merrill began the frame with a base hit ahead of Ornelas. Ornelas connected on his second long ball of the night and gave the Missions a 5-4 advantage.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, Kevin Kopps entered the game for the save attempt. He retired the first batters before allowing a base hit to Pages. Gamboa struck out to end the game.

Post-Game Notes

* Final Score: 5-4

* With the win, San Antonio improves to 19-20 & 56-52 on the season

* Reyes: 43 HBP (Tied single-season MiLB record)

* Jackson Merrill (#2 Padres prospect, #9 MLB): 1-4, R, K

* Jairo Iriarte (#6 Padres prospect): DNP

* Adam Mazur (#7 Padres prospect): DNP

* Ryan Bergert (#16 Padres prospect): DNP

* Marcos Castanon (#23 Padres prospect): 0-4, 2 K

* Tirso Ornelas (#30 Padres prospect): 3-3, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 3 R, BB

* Jared Kollar (Missions starter): ND, 4.0 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, HR

* Victor Scott II (#4 Cardinals prospect): 0-5, K

* Jake Woodford (ML Rehab): ND, 2.0 IP, 3 H, ER, 3 K, HR (Started the game)

* Ryan Helsley (ML Rehab): 1.0 IP, BB, K (Pitched 3rd Inning)

The San Antonio Missions will have the day off on Monday before returning home for a six-game homestand against the Midland RockHounds beginning on Tuesday, August 15th. The pitching matchups have not yet been announced. Tuesday's First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m. from Nelson Wolff Stadium..

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