Baez Impresses in Debut, RockHounds Rally To Win Late
MIDLAND, Texas – In his Double-A debut, Henry Baez pitched into the sixth inning and left the game with the lead intact for the San Antonio Missions. The RockHounds, however, stormed for seven unanswered runs once Baez exited to win 8-2 and jump ahead in this six-game series. Denzel Clarke
MIDLAND, Texas – In his Double-A debut, Henry Baez pitched into the sixth inning and left the game with the lead intact for the San Antonio Missions. The RockHounds, however, stormed for seven unanswered runs once Baez exited to win 8-2 and jump ahead in this six-game series.
Denzel Clarke and Shane McGuire did much of the damage offensively for Midland with three and two runs batted in respectively. Clarke’s bases-clearing double in the sixth put the RockHounds ahead, and they never looked back. Meanwhile, RockHounds starter Blake Beers worked around traffic to complete seven innings and earn the win.
Baez struck out the first batter he faced before a rude welcome from Jack Winkler, who deposited a solo shot onto the left field berm. His blast opened the scoring and placed Midland up 1-0 after one inning.
San Antonio answered with two runs against Beers, one via a wild pitch and another via a Cole Cummings sacrifice fly. The Missions held this lead until the sixth, when Junior Perez golfed a line drive to left field and hustled all the way to third for a triple. This knocked Baez out with the Missions up 2-1.
Jason Blanchard entered from the bullpen, and the RockHounds wasted no time greeting him. McGuire attacked the first pitch and tied the game with a run-scoring double. Brayan Buelvas followed with a single while Jeisson Rosario walked to load the bases for Clarke. The third-ranked prospect in the Oakland Athletic system scorched the ball past the dive of third baseman Jarryd Dale, and it rattled around in the corner long enough to score three RockHounds and put Midland ahead 5-2.
Jeremy Eierman added a sacrifice fly in the sixth. Ryan Och came in from the bullpen for the seventh and eighth, and he gave up an RBI double to McGuire and a sacrifice fly to Cooper Bowman. By the ninth inning, Midland led 8-2. That remained the score as Ryan Cusick finished his second scoreless frame and ended the night for the Missions.
Post-Game Notes
Final Score: 8-2
With the loss, San Antonio falls to 14-11, 45-48 on the season
Henry Baez (Missions starter): 5.1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, BB, 3 K – Double-A debut
Blake Beers (RockHounds tarter): 7 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, BB, 6 K
Prospect Recap
Robby Snelling (#2 Padres prospect, #45 MLB): DNP
Ryan Bergert (#7 Padres prospect): Scheduled to pitch Sunday, July 28th
Austin Krob (#9 Padres prospect): DNP
Victor Lizarraga (#10 Padres prospect): DNP
Brandon Valenzuela (#11 Padres prospect): 1-4
Marcos Castañon (#13 Padres prospect): DNP
Henry Baez (#30 Padres prospect): 5.1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, BB, 3 K - Double-A debut
Denzel Clarke (#3 A’s prospect): 1-3, 2B, 3 RBI, R, BB
Daniel Susac (#5 A’s prospect): DNP
Henry Bolte (#10 A’s prospect): DNP
Jack Perkins (#14 A’s prospect): Scheduled to pitch Sunday, July 28th
Gunnar Hoglund (#16 A’s prospect): DNP
Cooper Bowman (#17 A’s prospect): 1-4, K, RBI
Ryan Cusick (#19 A’s prospect): 2 IP, BB, K
Tyler Baum (#21 A’s prospect): DNP
Brennan Milone (#22 A’s prospect): 2-5, HR, RBI, R
Brayan Buelvas (#29 A’s prospect): 1-4, R, 2 K
The San Antonio Missions will conclude their six-game series with the Midland RockHounds on Sunday, July 28th. Right-hander Ryan Bergert (1-7, 6.24) gets the start for San Antonio. Right-hander Jack Perkins (1-1, 4.18) is scheduled to pitch for Midland. Sunday’s first pitch is slated for 1:00 p.m. from Momentum Bank Ballpark.
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The San Antonio Missions are the Double-A affiliate for the San Diego Padres. The 2024 season will be the 122nd professional season for the San Antonio Missions. Season seat memberships, as well as group tickets, for the 2024 season are available now. Single-game tickets are on sale now. Call 210-675-PARK to discuss pricing for season tickets, group tickets and hospitality. The 2025 schedule has been released! Call now to discuss season ticket prices for next season. The Missions Box Office is cashless, and fans can purchase tickets using credit cards. For more information, call 210-675-PARK (7275) or visit samissions.com.