Missions Fall to Springfield Despite Skender’s Three-RBI NightÂ

September 9, 2022 – Texas League (TL) – San Antonio Missions News Release

SAN ANTONIO – Friday night’s matchup between the San Antonio Missions and Springfield Cardinals marked the fourth game of their six-game set. Following their win on Thursday, Springfield got out to a 5-0 lead against the Missions. The Missions never backed down and made it a 6-5 ballgame in the eighth inning. Despite putting the tying run on base in the ninth inning, the Cardinals held on for a 6-5 victory.

Thomas Eshelman was the starting pitcher for the San Antonio Missions. The veteran right-hander allowed Springfield to take the lead in the bottom of the first inning. With one out in the frame, Masyn Winn and Jorden Walker hit back-to-back singles. Brady Whalen drove in Winn with a ground-rule double to center field. Eshelman left the other two runners stranded after striking out Nick Raposo and getting Nick Dunn to line out. Springfield took a 1-0 lead.

The Cardinals plated their second run of the game in the bottom of the second inning. Chandler Redmond drew a leadoff walk and Errol Robinson struck out for the first out of the frame. Jonah Davis drew a walk to put two runners on base. Mike Antico drove in Redmond with a single to center field. Springfield improved their lead to 2-0.

Gordon Graceffo was the starting pitcher for the Springfield Cardinals. After two scoreless innings, the Missions had their first runner in scoring position during the third inning. With one out, Joshua Mears hit a double to left field. However, he was left stranded after Doming Leyba flew out and Tirso Ornelas grounded out.

Springfield expanded their lead in the fourth inning with two runs on three hits. Chandler Redmond began the inning with a base hit but was then thrown out trying to steal second base. Robinson singled for their second hit of the inning. Jonah Davis hit a two-run home run to right field. His eighth long ball of the season made it a 4-0 lead for Springfield.

The Cardinals made it a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Whalen hit a one-out single and advanced to second base on a balk from Eshelman. Nick Raposo drove in Whalen with a single to left-center field. That was the end of the night for Eshelman as he was replaced by Edwuin Bencomo.

San Antonio scored their first runs of the game in the top of the seventh inning as they plated three runs on four hits. Facing Michael YaSenka, Yorman Rodriguez doubled to start the inning. After striking out Webster Rivas, Kelvin…