TL1 San Antonio Missions

San Antonio Missions Game Notes: July 9 at Midland (6:30 PM CST)

Published on July 9, 2014 under Texas League (TL1)
San Antonio Missions News Release


TONIGHT'S GAME: Tonight is the opening game of a crucial four-game set between the San Antonio Missions and the Midland RockHounds at Security Bank Ballpark. This will be the first of two four-game series between the clubs over the next two weeks in Midland. The teams have split their first eight meetings this season at Security Bank Ballpark. San Antonio (47-47, 11-7) is currently first in the South Division second-half standings, a half game ahead of Midland (48-39, 10-7). Since the beginning of May, the Missions own the Texas League's best record at 37-26. San Antonio enters play having won eight of their last 12. After a recent six-game losing skid, Midland enters the series having won five straight.

The RockHounds have a TL-best division record of 30-21.

PITCHING MATCHUP: On the hill for San Antonio tonight in the series opener is Leonel Campos, who will be making his sixth start of the season and just the seventh of his career. Campos is coming off a terrific outing on July 3 vs. Tulsa when he allowed just one hit and one walk, while fanning a career-high eight over a career-high 4.2 innings. The Valera, Venezuela native is starting to adjust well to his new starting role. In his five starts, Campos has pitched to a 1.10 ERA, allowing just two runs on 10 hits, while sporting an impressive K:BB ratio of 23:7 over 16.1 innings. Campos began the year in the pen for Triple-A El Paso, where he had an 11.70 ERA over 11 appearances. The 26-year-old right-hander played a key role for last season's TL champion Missions squad, going 1-0 with a minuscule 0.88 ERA in 26 games. In three games (two starts) vs. Midland this season, Campos is 0-1 with a 4.76 ERA (3 ER/5.2 IP). Campos' mound opponent tonight is fellow righty Chris Jensen, who is 1-1 with a 2.88 ERA in four starts vs. San Antonio this season. The Gilbert, AZ native has made 16 starts for the 'Hounds in 2014, going 5-7 with a 3.80 ERA.

2014 SEASON SERIES: The Missions are just 8-12 against the RockHounds in 2014 thanks primarily to their offensive struggles. In their 20 games against Midland, San Antonio is hitting just .235 (158-for-671), while scoring a mere 3.2 RPG.

The RockHounds, who have outscored the Missions 75-63 this season, have won three of the first five series between the clubs.

LAST GAME: San Antonio suffered a frustrating 3-2, 11-inning loss to Springfield Monday night at Wolff Stadium in the finale of a six-game homestand. The Missions wasted no time getting on the board against Cards' starter Mike Mayers Monday, grabbing a 1-0 lead on Jason Hagerty's two-out, RBI single in the first. Springfield responded in the top of the second against San Antonio starter Josh Geer, tying the game at one with a David Popkins' sacrifice fly. Hagerty worked his two-out magic again in the third, putting San Antonio back in front with his first triple of the season. However, once again, the Cardinals answered back, tying the game at two in the fourth courtesy of a Patrick Wisdom run-scoring ground out.

Those would be the only runs charged to both Geer and Mayers, who finished with identical pitching lines: 7 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB and 5 SO. The game then turned into a battle of bullpens, with both units putting up zeroes from the eighth through 10th innings. Springfield finally broke through against reliever Matt Branham (5-3) in the top of the 11th . Alex Mejia began the rally with a single to right before quickly moving up a base on pinch-hitter Matt Williams' sacrifice bunt. That brought up Mike O'Neill, who blooped a double into shallow left, scoring Mejia with the go-ahead run. Justin Wright retired the Missions in order in the bottom of the 11th for his sixth save of the season. Mitch Harris (1-0) earned the win for Springfield (41-47, 7-11) with one and a third scoreless innings of relief. The teams combined for 20 strikeouts Monday night, with neither pitching staff issuing a free pass.

HOMER HAPPY: San Antonio has hit 75 homers in 2014, which is the 4th most at the Double-A level. The Missions have out-homered their opponents by 31 (75-44) this season and have a 43-28 edge on the road. Ironically, San Antonio is last in the TL in doubles with 123 in addition to having the second-fewest triples with 13.

THAT'S MORE LIKE IT: 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 23 games, the Missions have pitched to an MiLB best 2.04 ERA. During that stretch, San Antonio pitching has allowed just 179 hits (only eight homers) in 216 innings to go along with a K:BB ratio of 206:67. The 49 earned runs allowed since June 12 are the fewest among full-season MiLB squads. The Missions have allowed three runs or less in 16 of their last 23 games.

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 23 games, the starters have pitched to a minuscule 1.53 ERA (24 ER) and have a K:BB ratio of 107:35 over 141 innings. Since June 12, the Missions have three starters in the TL's top 5 in ERA: Geer 3rd at 1.36, Bryce Morrow 4th at 1.41 and James Needy 5th at 1.42. The trio has allowed just 15 earned runs over a combined 96.2 innings.

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