Photo: Missions Baseball/WOAI
Following a terrific debut in Midland, Missions outfielder Agustin Ruiz led the way on Tuesday night during the Missions 5-1 victory. Ruiz drove in three runs and hit his second home run with the team.
The San Antonio Missions offense came out of the gates red hot. They tagged Jimmy Endersby for three runs on four hits in the top of the first inning. Esteury Ruiz hit a lead-off double to start the game. Agustin Ruiz followed that with a two-run home run. It was his second long ball since joining the Missions. Eguy Rosario drew a walk and stole second base. Kyle Overstreet hit a ground-rule double to score Rosario.
The Missions offense had another scoring opportunity in the top of third inning. With one out, Allen Cordoba and Overstreet reached on back-to-back singles. The Missions had runners on the corners for Michael Curry. Curry grounded into a double play to put an end to the scoring threat.
Matt Waldron was the starting pitcher for the Missions Tuesday night. Waldron was dominant throughout the first two innings of work as he allowed no walks and just one hit. He surrendered a base hit in the third inning before being pulled from the game due to an apparent injury to his throwing arm. He was replaced by Dylan Rheault.
After getting through the remainder of the third inning, Rheault struggled in the beginning of the fourth inning. He loaded the bases after a double, a hit by pitch, and a single. The tall right-hander walked in a run after throwing four balls to Bryan Arias. With the bases still loaded, Rheault pitched into a double play to end the inning. The Missions held a 3-1 lead.
The Missions had a chance to add an insurance run in the top of the sixth inning. Cordoba drew a lead-off and stole second base. With a runner on second and no outs, Overstreet flew out and Curry grounded out. Ben Ruta hit a line drive to left field but was robbed of an RBI hit after a diving catch from Corey Julks.
San Antonio capitalized on a scoring opportunity in the top of the seventh inning. Juan Fernandez drew a walk and Kelvin Melean singled to begin the inning. A sacrifice attempt from Esteury Ruiz resulted in Fernandez being forced out at third base. With runners on second and first with one out, Agustin Ruiz drove in his third run with a single to right field. Rosario popped out in the next at-bat and Esteury Ruiz successfully stole third base. He scored courtesy of a fielding error from David Hensley. The Missions took a 5-1 lead.
Post-Game Notes
- With thewin, San Antonioimproves to42-48 on the season
- Eguy Rosario (#17 Padres prospect):0-3, BB, SB, R
- Esteury Ruiz (#30 Padres prospect):1-5, 2B, SB, 2 R, 2 K
- Matt Waldron: Left due to apparent arm injury (2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 4 K)
The San Antonio Missionscontinue their six-game series at Corpus Christi on Wednesday, August 18th. Right-hander Brandon Komar (1-1, 3.00) is expected to make his second start of the season. He will be opposed by right-hander Matt Ruppenthal (0-1, 17.18). First pitch will be at 6:35 p.m.