Didder Drives in Five as Missions Defeat Amarillo 

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Missions began a six-game series with the Amarillo Sod Poodles on Wednesday night. Following Tuesday night’s loss, a career night from Ray-Patrick Didders paved the way for the Missions to even the series. Didder homered, doubled and drove in a career-high five runs in a 5-2 victory. The Missions now sit 2.0 games ahead of Amarillo in the division.

Chad Patrick was the starting pitcher for the Sod Poodles. The Missions threatened to take the lead in the top of the first inning. With one out, Tirso Ornelas singled and advanced to second base on a ground out. Ornelas was left in scoring position after Daniel Johnson flew out.

Jose Espada was the starting pitcher for the Missions making just his third start of the season. After striking out the side in the first inning, Amarillo grabbed the lead off the right-hander in the bottom of the second inning. With one out in the frame, Espada issued a walk to Adrian Del Castillo. After striking out the next batter, back-to-back singles from Caleb Roberts and Neyfy Castillo allowed Del Castillo to score the first run of the game.

The Missions used the long ball to capture the lead in the top of the fourth inning. Johnson singled with one out in the inning. Patrick retired the next batter for the second out of the frame. Cole Cummings doubled to extend the inning. Ray-Patrick Didder drove in three runs with a home run to left field. His second long ball of the season made it a 3-1 ballgame.

Espada, getting the start with Duncan Snider on the Injured List, put together a stellar outing. In 3.1 innings of work, he allowed one earned run two hits while issuing three walks. Along the way, he struck out six batters. Espada handed the ball off to Jose Quezada in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Quezada retired all five batters he faced across 1.2 scoreless frames. The right-hander struck out four batters in the process. Left-hander Aaron Leasher took over for the Missions in the bottom of the sixth inning.

For Amarillo, Patrick lasted six innings while allowing three runs on four hits. The right-hander issued just one walk while striking out eight batters. Josh Green took over on the mound in the top of the seventh inning.

Kevin Kopps took over for Leasher during the bottom of the seventh inning. The right-hander pitched out of a jam in the bottom half of the eighth inning. Ryan Bliss and Jordan Lawlar hit back-to-back singles to start the inning. A.J. Vukovich flied out and Bliss advanced to third base. With two runners on base and one out, Kopps struck out the next two batters to end the threat.

San Antonio added two insurance runs in the top of the ninth inning. Facing Andrew Saalfrank, Johnson and Michael De La Cruz hit back-to-back singles to start the frame. After a fly out, the Missions executed a double steal. Didder drove in both runners with a double down the right field line. San Antonio improved their lead to 5-1.

Nick Hernandez took over for the Missions in the bottom of the ninth inning. With one out in the frame, Caleb Roberts and Castillo hit back-to-back singles. After recording the second out of the inning, Bliss drove in a run with a double to left field. Hernandez struck out Lawlar to end the game.

Post-Game Notes

• Final Score: 5-2

• With the win, San Antonio falls to 32-27 on the season

• Missions Pitchers: 17 combined strikeouts

• San Antonio now sits 2.0 games ahead of Amarillo in Texas League South division

• Ray-Patrick Didder: Career-high five runs batted in

• Jackson Wolf (#16 Padres prospect): Scheduled to pitch Sunday, June 18th

• Alek Jacob (#26 Padres prospect): DNP

• Tirso Ornelas (#28 Padres prospect): 2-4, 2 K

• Jose Espada (Missions starter): ND, 3.1 IP, 2 H, ER, 3 BB, 6 K

• Jordan Lawlar (#1 DBacks prospect, #8 MLB): 1-4, BB, SB, 3 K

• Deyvison De Los Santos (#4 DBacks prospect): 0-4, 3 K

• Chad Patrick (Sod Poodles starter): L, 6.0 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, BB, 8 K, HR

The San Antonio Missions will continue their six-game series with the Amarillo Sod Poodles on Thursday, June 15th. Right-hander Efrain Contreras (3-4, 5.21) is scheduled to pitch for the Missions. Right-hander Deyni Olivero (3-4, 7.55) is scheduled to pitch for the Sod Poodles. Thursday’s first pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m. from Hodgetown.

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. 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.