Two Homers Not Enough as Missions Fall to Corpus
Published on July 8, 2023 under Texas League (TL)
San Antonio Missions News Release
SAN ANTONIO - The San Antonio Missions continued their six-game series with the Corpus Christi Hooks on Saturday night. After trailing 5-1, the Missions offense plated three runs in the sixth to make it a one-run game. Despite that, Corpus Christi pulled away with two more runs to secure a 7-5 final. In a losing effort, Jake Perez and Daniel Johnson each left the yard.
Julio Robaina was the starting pitcher for the Hooks. The southpaw faced a bases loaded situation in the top of the first inning. Juan Fernandez drew a two-out walk and extended the inning. Pedro Castellanos and Brandon Valenzuela each singled and the bases were loaded. Justin Farmer popped out to end the scoring threat.
The Missions placed another runner in scoring position during the second inning. With two outs, Daniel Johnson doubled to right-center field. With Kervin Pichardo at the plate, Johnson was thrown out trying to steal third base.
Bobby Milacki was the starting pitcher for the Missions. After a scoreless first inning, the Hooks put two runners on base in the bottom of the second inning. Chad Stevens began the frame with a base hit to center field. The right-hander struck out the next two batters before hitting Jordan Brewer with a pitch. With two runners on and two outs, J.C. Correa flew out to end the inning.
The Hooks gained the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning after plating three runs on three hits. Joey Loperfido began the inning with a home run to left-center field. Two batters later, former Missions infielder Luis Aviles Jr. hit a solo homer to left field. After issuing a walk to Brewer, Correa doubled and Brewer came in to score. San Antonio trailed 3-0.
San Antonio used the long ball to score a run in the top of the fifth inning. Leading off the inning, Jake Perez hit a fly ball over the left field wall for a solo homer. His second home run of the season made it a 3-1 ballgame. After issuing a walk, Robaina was pulled with two outs and Logan VanWey took over on the mound. The southpaw allowed one run on four hits in 4.2 innings of work while striking out four batters.
Milacki's night was over after four innings of work. He allowed three runs on four hits while striking out five batters. Blake Cederlind took the mound for the Missions in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Corpus Christi added two insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Kenedy Corona drew a walk and advanced to second base on a wild pitch. Colin Barber grounded out and Corona moved to third base. A second wild pitch from Cederlind allowed Corona to score. The right-hander walked Loperfido who stole second and third base. Cederlind struck out Stevens for the second out of the inning. He struck out Zach Daniels for what should have been the third out. However, Daniels reached on a dropped third strike and Loperfido came in to score. Edwuin Bencomo replaced Cederlind and struck out Aviles Jr. to end the inning. The Missions trailed 5-1.
The Missions cut into the deficit with three runs in the top of the sixth inning. With one out in the inning, Valenzuela drew a walk and Farmer reached base on an error. Pichardo drew a walk and the bases were loaded. Perez recorded an RBI as he drew a bases loaded walk. Johnson struck out for the second out of the frame. Reyes drove in a run with a second bases loaded free pass. Tyler Brown took the mound for Corpus Christi and hit Korry Howell with a pitch to score another run. Juan Fernandez struck out swinging to end the inning. The Missions trailed 5-4.
The Hooks pulled away with two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Garrett Wolforth singled with two outs to extend the inning. Corona hit a fly ball over the left-center field wall for a two-run homer. His 12th long ball of the season made it a 7-4 ballgame.
The Missions had a chance to trim the lead in the top of the seventh inning. Valenzuela and Farmer both hit singles with one out in the inning. However, both runners were left stranded after strikeouts from Pichardo and Perez.
San Antonio used the long ball to plate their fifth run of the game in the eighth inning. Leading off the inning, Johnson hit a solo home run to right field. Reyes nearly had a triple in his at-bat following Johnson. On a line drive into the right field corner, Reyes was tagged out trying to stretch his double to a triple. With Johnson's homer, the Missions made it a 7-5 game.
In the top of the ninth inning, Ray Gaither entered the game for a save attempt. Castellanos drew a lead-off walk and was replaced by Ray-Patrick Didder as the pinch-runner. Gaither struck out Valenzuela and, on the play, Didder was thrown out trying to steal second base. Farmer struck out swinging to end the game.
Post-Game Notes
* Final Score: 7-5
* With the loss, San Antonio falls to 5-6 & 42-38 on the season
* Korry Howell (#13 Padres prospect): 0-4, RBI, HBP, 3 K
* Jackson Wolf (#16 Padres prospect): DNP
* Brandon Valenzuela (#29 Padres prospect): 2-3, R, 2 BB, K, E
* Bobby Milacki (Missions starter): L, 4.0 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, BB, 5 K, 2 HR
* Drew Gilbert (#1 Hooks prospect, #73 MLB): DNP (Participating in Futures Game)
* Colin Barber (#3 Hooks prospect): 0-4, K
* Julio Robaina (Hooks starter): ND, 4.2 IP, 4 H, ER, 3 BB, 4 K, HR
The San Antonio Missions will wrap-up their six-game series with the Corpus Christi Hooks on Sunday, July 9th. Right-hander Efrain Contreras (4-5, 4.91) is scheduled to pitch for the Missions. Right-hander Ryan Gusto (1-1, 8.10) is scheduled to pitch for the Hooks. First pitch is slated for 5:05 p.m. from Whataburger Field.
Texas League Stories from July 8, 2023
- Hooks Play Long Ball in Wild Win Over SA - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Riders Lead Early But Fall to RockHounds - Frisco RoughRiders
- Cardinals Swept in Saturday Night Doubleheader - Springfield Cardinals
- Three Homers Power Surge Past Drillers - Tulsa Drillers
- Two Homers Not Enough as Missions Fall to Corpus - San Antonio Missions
- Wichita Rallies to Defeat Tulsa - Wichita Wind Surge
- Travs Come up a Run Short Against Naturals - Arkansas Travelers
- Naturals K 10 in 5-3 Loss Friday - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Friday's Game Postponed, Doubleheader Set for Saturday, July 8 - Springfield Cardinals
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
