Missions unable to pull out win against RockHounds

Despite taking a commanding lead early on in the game, the San Antonio Missions fell to the Midland RockHounds 6-5 on Thursday night at Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium.

Photo byRylan Renteria/ EVT Sports

Missions’ starting pitcher Sam Whiting got into trouble early, and despite the San Antonio offense picking up the slack, their closing rotation was unable to hold up, resulting in a narrow loss.

The RockHounds offense wasted no time getting things started with an RBI single from catcher Shane McGuire, bringing home Denzel Clarke and pushing Will Simpson to third base. The next at-bat, infielder Jordan Groshans popped a sacrifice fly into left field, allowing Simpson to score.

[caption id="attachment_122628" align="alignright" width="420"] Credit: Rylan Renteria/ EVT Sports[/caption]

After allowing a single and a walk in the next two at-bats, Missions’ coach Luke Montz pulled Whiting from the game.

In the bottom of the second, the Missions’ offense got on the board with an RBI single from infielder Ray-Patrick Didder.

The very next inning the Missions earned their largest lead of the night, bringing four runs to the plate.

The scoring began when Padres’ No.24 prospect, designated hitter Romeo Sanabria, hit a sacrifice fly, allowing Cole Cummings to score. A fielding error on that play allowed Sanabria to reach first, which proved to be a costly mistake. The following at-bat, infielder Robbie Tenerowicz launched a home run over the left field wall, scoring the two baserunners and giving the Missions a 5-2 lead.

The RockHounds bring the score to an even 5-5 after an RBI single from Simpson in the top of the fourth and a two-run home run from Clarke in the sixth.

Midland earned the go-ahead score in the top of the seventh off the bat of left fielder Brayan Buelvas, who sliced an RBI double, allowing Groshans to reach home base.

There would be no late-game magic for the Missions, as the offense was unable to produce even the tying run in the final two innings.

Game four of the Missions’ series against the RockHounds is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Friday at Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium.