Pair of Homers Catapults Missions Past Cardinals 

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Missions began their final regular season series on Tuesday night against the Springfield Cardinals. The Missions started off the series on a high note with a 4-3 victory. The offense clubbed two home runs while Robby Snelling recorded his second victory. Springfield attempted a late comeback, but ultimately fell short.

Robby Snelling was the starting pitcher for the Missions. The southpaw had to pitch out of trouble in the top of the first inning. Victor Scott II began the game with a bloop single to left field. Noah Mendlinger grounded out to first base. On the play, Scott II advanced to third on a throwing error. Snelling left Scott II stranded at third after retiring the next two batters.

Tink Hence was the starting pitcher for the Cardinals. The Missions captured the lead off the 21-year-old in the first inning. With one man down, Graham Pauley hit a home run over the right field wall. His second Double-A long ball gave the Missions a 1-0 lead.

Springfield tied the game in the next half inning. Leading off the frame, Jacob Buchberger homered to right field. His 17th long ball of the season tied the game.

San Antonio had two runners on base during the second inning. Cole Cummings and Homer Bush Jr. Hit back-to-back singles to start the frame. Hence struck out the next two batters. Ripken Reyes flew out to end the frame.

The Missions took the lead with two runs on two hits in the fourth inning. Marcos Castanon began the inning with a base hit. Cummings drew a walk to put two runners on base. Bush Jr. drove in Castanon with a base hit to center field. After retiring the next batter, Hence picked off Bush Jr. from first base. On the play, Cummings scored from third base. San Antonio gained a 3-1 advantage.

Snelling put together another solid outing for the Missions. The 19-year-old allowed one run on five hits across five innings of work. He did not issue a walk while striking out three batters. Raul Brito took the mound for the Missions in the sixth inning.

The Missions added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Facing Logan Gragg, Cummings homered to right field. His 11th long ball of the season made it a 4-1 ballgame.

Springfield loaded the bases against the Missions in the top of the seventh inning. Brito allowed back-to-back singles to start the frame. He walked Arquimedes Gamboa to load the bases with no outs. The right-hander struck out the next two batters before being replaced by CD Pelham. Scott II grounded out to end the inning. The Missions maintained their 4-1 lead.

The Cardinals cut into the deficit with two runs in the top of the eighth inning. With one runner on base and two outs, Pelham was replaced by Seth Mayberry. Buchberger left the yard for the second time on the night. His two-run homer made it a 4-3 ballgame.

In the top of the ninth inning, Daniel Camarena entered the game looking to convert the save. The southpaw retired all three batters to secure the victory.

Post-Game Notes

• Final Score: 4-3

• With the win, San Antonio improves to 31-33 & 68-65 on the season

• Robby Snelling (Missions starter): W, 5.0 IP, 5 H, ER, 3 K, HR

• Tink Hence (Cardinals starter): L, 5.0 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, HR

• Attendance: 4,704

Prospect Recap

• Jackson Merrill (#2 Padres prospect, #9 MLB): 0-3, BB, 3 K

• Robby Snelling (#3 Padres prospect, #60 MLB): W, 5.0 IP, 5 H, ER, 3 K, HR

• Jairo Iriarte (#6 Padres prospect): Scheduled to pitch Saturday, September 16th

• Adam Mazur (#7 Padres prospect): Scheduled to pitch Friday, September 15th

• Nathan Martorella (#10 Padres prospect): 1-4, E

• Graham Pauley (#11 Padres prospect): 1-4, HR, RBI, R, GIDP

• Jakob Marsee (#12 Padres prospect): DNP

• Homer Bush Jr. (#13 Padres prospect): 2-3, RBI, PO/CS

• Ryan Bergert (#16 Padres prospect): DNP

• Marcos Castañon (#23 Padres prospect): 1-4, R, K

• Tink Hence (#2 Cardinals prospect, #43 MLB): L, 5.0 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, HR

• Victor Scott II (#4 Cardinals prospect): 1-4

• Tekoah Roby (#5 Cardinals prospect): Scheduled to pitch Wednesday, September 13th

• Pedro Pages (#28 Cardinals prospect): 1-3, R, BB, K

• Mike Antico (#29 Cardinals prospect): 2-4, 2 K

• Noah Mendlinger (#30 Cardinals prospect): 0-4, 2 K

The San Antonio Missions will continue their six-game homestand with the Springfield Cardinals on Wednesday, September 13th. Right-hander Gabe Mosser (1-3, 4.41) is scheduled to pitch for the Missions. Right-hander Tekoah Roby (0-0, 3.00) is scheduled to pitch for the Cardinals. Wednesday’s first pitch is slated for 7:05 from Nelson Wolff Stadium.

The San Antonio Missions are the Double-A affiliate for the San Diego Padres. The 2023 season is the 121st professional season for the San Antonio Missions. Postseason tickets are on sale now! Season seat memberships, as well as group tickets, for the 2023 season are available now. Call 210-675-PARK to discuss pricing for season tickets, group tickets and hospitality. Single game tickets are on sale now. The Missions Box Office will be cashless this season. Fans can purchase tickets at the box office using credit cards. For more information on the upcoming season call 210-675-PARK (7275) or visit samissions.com.