TL1 San Antonio Missions

San Antonio Missions Game Notes: July 10 at Midland (7:00 PM CST)

Published on July 10, 2014 under Texas League (TL1)
San Antonio Missions News Release


TONIGHT'S GAME: Tonight is game two of a crucial four-game set between the San Antonio Missions and the Midland RockHounds at Security Bank Ballpark. This is the first of two four-game series between the clubs over the next two weeks in Midland, with the Missions hosting Frisco for four in between. San Antonio (47-42, 11-8) is currently second in the South Division second-half standings, a half game behind Midland (49-39, 11-7). Prior to last night's loss, the Missions had been in sole possession of first in the South since June 29. San Antonio enters play having won eight of their last 13 overall, but have dropped three of their last four. The Missions have lost three straight to the RockHounds and are 4-5 on the year at Security Bank Ballpark. After dropping six in a row from June 26-July 2, Midland has rebounded well, entering tonight on a season-high six-game win streak. Last night they not only snapped a five-game home losing skid, but also matched their high water mark for the season (10 games over .500). The RockHounds have a TL-best division record of 31-21.

PITCHING MATCHUP: On the hill for San Antonio tonight is James Needy, who will be making his 16th start of the season. The 6-6 right-hander enters on a club-high, six-game win streak. Since May 9 (start of streak) Needy is T-1st in the TL in wins, 2nd in ERA at 1.47 (11/67.1 IP), 6th in innings and 10th in strikeouts with 50 (against 20 walks). For the season, James is 6-3 with a 2.24 ERA (2nd in the TL) and a K:BB ratio of 63:28 over 88.1 innings. In his four starts vs. Midland this year, Needy is 1-0 with a 1.71 ERA (4 ER/21 IP). The San Diego, CA native last faced Midland on June 22 at the Wolff, where he allowed just one run on five hits and two walks, while striking out four over 6.2 innings (no-decision). Needy's mound opponent this evening is fellow righty Sean Murphy, who is 3-0 with a 2.19 ERA in four starts for the 'Hounds. In 14 starts this season between, High-A Stockton, Midland and Triple-A Sacramento, Murphy is 5-5 with 4.72 ERA. Oakland selected Sean in the 33rd round of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft out of Keystone College in LaPlume, PA.

2014 SEASON SERIES: The Missions are just 8-13 against the RockHounds in 2014 thanks primarily to their offensive struggles. In their 21 games against Midland, San Antonio is hitting just .233 (164-for-705), while scoring a mere 3.3 RPG.

The RockHounds, which have outscored the Missions 85-69 this season, have won three of the first five series between the clubs.

LAST GAME: San Antonio could not overcome a rare rough start from a pitcher in a 10-6 loss to Midland Wednesday at Security Bank Ballpark. After a perfect first inning, Missions' starter Leonel Campos (0-3) recorded just one out in the second as the RockHounds erupted for six runs. Campos was followed by Eric Yardley, who allowed one run on three hits and a walk, while striking out two over 2.2 innings in his Double-A debut. Midland tacked on their final three runs in the seventh against righty Trevor Gott. The big star offensively for the 'Hounds was third baseman Jefry Marte, who went a perfect 5-for-5 with three doubles, two RBI and a run scored. Two of Marte's hits came in the six-run second inning.

Starter Chris Jensen (6-7) earned the win for Midland after allowing just one run on three hits in his six innings on the hill.

San Antonio scored five times over the last three innings to make the final score more respectable. All five of the runs came via the long ball: two-run shots by Cody Overbeck and Hunter Renfroe and a solo blast from Rymer Liriano. Missions' pitching walked an uncharacteristically seven batters in defeat.

HOMER HAPPY: San Antonio has hit 78 homers in 2014, which is the 2nd most at the Double-A level. The Missions have out-homered their opponents by 34 (78-44) this season and have a 46-28 edge on the road. Last night was only the 14th time this season that they've lost a game when homering (33-14). Ironically, that power hasn't carried over to other categories as San Antonio is last in the TL in doubles with 125 and second-to-last in triples with 13.

THAT'S MORE LIKE IT: Although they had a rough series opener last night, the Missions have once again been carried by their pitching staff. After allowing a total of 50 runs in an eight-game span from June 4-11, San Antonio pitching has certainly returned to form. In their last 24 games, the Missions have pitched to a full-season MiLB best 2.37 ERA. During that stretch, San Antonio pitching has allowed just 193 hits (only eight homers) in 224 innings to go along with a K:BB ratio of 213:70. The 59 earned runs allowed since June 12 are the second-fewest among full-season MiLB squads (Midland: 57 ER). The Missions have allowed three runs or less in 16 of their last 24 games. Last night was just the second time all season that they've allowed double digit runs in a game (they allowed 14 on June 10 at Minute Maid Park).

STARTING WELL: The main reason that the Missions have turned it around on the hill as been the dominant stretch their starting staff has been on. During the last 24 games, the starters have pitched to a minuscule 1.90 ERA (30 ER) and have a K:BB ratio of 108:39 over 142.1 innings. Since June 12, the Missions have three starters in the TL's top 4 in ERA: Josh Geer 2nd at 1.36, Bryce Morrow 3rd at 1.41 and Needy 4th at 1.42. The trio has allowed just 15 ER over a combined 96.2 innings.

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