TL1 San Antonio Missions

San Antonio Missions Game Notes: June 9 at Corpus Christi (7:10 PM CST)

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


TONIGHT'S GAME: Tonight is game three of a four-game series between the San Antonio Missions and the Corpus Christi Hooks at Whataburger Field. The South Division rivals will conclude this series Tuesday night in the highly-anticipated Astros Futures Game at Minute Maid Park in Houston. San Antonio (31-31) and Corpus Christi (31-31) enter play tied for third in the South Division, 5.5 games behind first-place Frisco (36-25) with just eight games left in the first half.

PITCHING MATCHUP: On the hill for San Antonio tonight is right-hander Jesse Hahn, who will be making his first start since returning from San Diego. Hahn took the loss in his ML debut on June 3 vs. Pittsburgh after allowing four runs on six hits and two walks, while striking out five over 3.2 innings. He came into that start having allowed just one homer in his entire minor league career, but against the Pirates, he allowed two-run shots to both Neil Walker and Pedro Alvarez. In his last start for San Antonio on May 29 vs. Northwest Arkansas, Hahn tied a career high with five scoreless innings of one-hit ball. In 10 games (seven starts) this season, Hahn is 2-1 with a 2.20 ERA and a K:BB ratio of 28:11 over 32.2 innings.

Hahn's mound opponent tonight will be lefty David Rollins, who is 0-2 with a 3.13 ERA in eight games (six starts) for the Hooks this season. In his last outing on June 4 at Midland, Rollins took the loss after allowing two runs on six hits and no walks, while striking out five (2nd most on year) over four innings.

LAST GAME: For the third time this season, San Antonio overcame a four-run deficit, scoring five times between the sixth and seventh innings to rally past Corpus Christi 6-5 Sunday night at Whataburger Field. The win snapped the Missions' season-high, tying four-game losing skid. After scoring twice in the sixth to trim their deficit to 5-3, San Antonio erupted for three more in the seventh on a Cody Overbeck solo homer, an Adam Buschini RBI double and a Yeison Asencio run-scoring single. Reliever Johnny Barbato made sure the lead held, working his first two-inning save of 2014. John Hussey (2-3) earned the win in relief of starter Juan Oramas, who allowed five unearned runs on five hits and four walks, while striking out five over 4.2 innings. Asencio, Brian Bixler, Buschini and Jason Hagerty each had multi-hit games for San Antonio, who outhit Corpus Christi 10-9.

TL ASG ROSTERS ANNOUNCED: Earlier today, Texas League President Tom Kayser announced the rosters for the 78th Annual Texas League All-Star Game, which will be held Tuesday, June 24th at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock, AR. The Missions will be well represented in North Little Rock, with five of their players being named to the South Division roster. Frisco and Tulsa tied for the most ASG selections in the Texas League with nine apiece. Two Missions will be in the South's starting lineup: C Austin Hedges and OF Rymer Liriano. In 52 games this season, Hedges is hitting .254 (50-for-197) with 14 doubles (T-4th in the TL), five homers, 24 RBI and 15 runs scored. Hedges, who entered the season as the No. 1 prospect in the San Diego Padres' organization according to both Baseball America and MLB.com, had a team-high, 18-game on-base streak (April 29-May 19), during which he hit .369 (24-for-65). Liriano has been San Antonio's top offensive player all season, entering play hitting .271 with 12 doubles, two triples, 11 homers, 38 RBI, 35 runs and 10 stolen bases. The outfielder is tied for second in the TL in both games (61) and homers, in addition to being, third in both RBI and extra-base hits (25). On the pitching side, San Antonio right-hander James Needy will be making the trip to North Little Rock. In 11 games (10 starts) this season for the Missions, the San Diego, CA native is 4-3 with a 2.70 ERA (6th in TL), striking out 40 batters against just 18 walks in 56.2 innings. In his six games (five starts) since May 9, Needy is 4-0 with a 1.51 ERA and a K:BB ratio of 27:10 over 35.2 innings. Joining Needy on the South Stars' pitching staff will be Missions' closer Johnny Barbato and fellow reliever, Adys Portillo. Barbato is 2-2 with a 2.61 ERA and a league-leading 16 saves in 26 games this year. In addition to leading the TL in saves, Barbato is also tied with team- mate Luis De La Cruz for the lead in appearances. In 22 games this season, Portillo is 0-1 with a miniscule 1.17 ERA and has fanned 38 batters over just 30.2 innings. The right-hander has had six different relief appearances this season in which he's struck out at least three. Portillo did not allow an earned run in his 11 games in May (14.2 IP). In charge of steering the South Division to victory will be the Missions' coaching staff: Manager Rich Dauer, pitching coach Jimmy Jones, hitting coach Francisco Morales, trainer Dan Turner and strength & conditioning coach Eric Wood.

POWER SURGE: The Missions have hit 43 home runs in their last 39 games after hitting just 12 in their first 23 contests. Since April 29 (start of 39-game run), San Antonio leads all of Double-A in homers and is tied for seventh in MiLB. San Antonio has hit 55 homers in 2014, which is tied with Bowie (Baltimore) for the most at the Double-A level. Last season, the Missions did not hit their 55th homer until July 8 (game #87) when they hit #s 54-56.

POSITIVE OUTLOOK: Though they have struggled offensively in June, San Antonio still leads the TL in runs scored since May 17 (96 runs in 21 games: 4.6 RPG) and are 3rd in batting at .262.

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