The San Antonio Missions ended their losing streak with a 7-5 win in rainy Northwest Arkansas. The Missions collected four extra-base hits during Tuesday’s victory.
After a rough homestand against Frisco, the San Antonio missions had a scoring opportunity right away in the top of the first inning. Jose Azocar led off with a single and then stole second base. However, he was left stranded.
The Missions would strike first in the top of the third inning. Jack Suwinski began the inning with a double to center field. Chris Givin dropped a sacrifice bunt to move him to third. After a walk to Azocar, Esteury Ruiz plated Suwinski on a sacrifice bunt of his own to give the Missions a 1-0 lead.
San Antonio put a crooked number on the board in the top of the fourth inning. After a lead-off walk to Michael Curry, Eguy Rosario hit a triple, which scored Curry. Olivier Basabe was the next batter, he reached on a fielder’s choice. On the play, Rosario was thrown out at home trying to score. After a walk to Suwinski, Givin lined a single to center field which scored Basabe and Suwinski. The Missions improved their lead to 4-0.
The Naturals broke up the shutout in the bottom of the fourth inning. Brewer Hicklen reached base on a one-out double. Freddy Fermin reached on a fielding error from Kyle Overstreet, allowing Hicklen to score.
Missions’ starter Osvaldo Hernandez bounced back from a rough start against Frisco during the homestand. Hernandez allowed three hits, one unearned run, and one walk over four innings of work. He also struck out four batters.
San Antonio extended their lead in the top of the sixth inning. After a single and a walk, Suwinski hit his second double of the game, scoring Rosario. Azocar drove in another run in the inning on a sacrifice fly. The Missions had a 6-1 advantage.
After allowing a run in the bottom of the eighth inning, the Missions rebounded by adding a run of their own in the top of the ninth inning. With two outs and Azocar on second base, Missions’ outfielder Michael Curry drove in Azocar with a base hit to make it a 7-2 ballgame.
The Naturals attempted a comeback in the bottom of the ninth inning. With two outs, Nick Pratto drove in two runs with a double off reliever Pedro Avila. MJ Melendez followed that with an RBI single to make it a 7-5 game.
The Missions will continue their six-game road series against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Wednesday, May 26th. Left-hander Aaron Leasher (1-1, 1.69) will start for San Antonio against right-hander Stephen Woods, Jr. (0-2, 12.27). First pitch will be at 7:05 p.m.
Post-Game Notes
- With the win, San Antonio improves to 8-11 on the season
- Eguy Rosario (#17 Padres prospect): 2-4, 3B, R, RBI
- Osvaldo Hernandez (#28 Padres prospect): 4.0 IP, 3 H, R (0 ER), BB, 4 K
- Esteury Ruiz (#30 Padres prospect): 1-4, 2B, R, RBI, K