Missions Fall to Cubs, Drop Five Game Series

SAN ANTONIO - After an eventful first inning which saw an ejection and both teams scoring a run, the Missions offense failed to provide enough fireworks as they fall to the Iowa Cubs 5-2. The Missions went hitless from the second inning until the seventh inning and left the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth inning.
In a controversial first inning, the Iowa Cubs scored a run on an RBI double from Ian Happ. The Cubs have scored first in all five games of this series. The controversy stemmed from two plays: a leadoff single from Jacob Hannemann and a rundown involving Happ. The latter play led to Missions Manger Rick Sweet's first ejection of the season.
After the wild ride the Missions endured in the top of the inning, the offense assisted by adding a run of their own. After Trent Grisham and Mauricio Dubón reached base, on a single and double, Missions outfielder Tyrone Taylor drove in his 29th run of the season on a sacrifice fly.
After both teams settled in and pitched scoreless innings in the second and third, the Iowa offense came alive in the fourth inning. Happ got it started with a triple, then Mark Zagunis walked, Phillip Evans drove in Happ with a double, and Donnie Dewees drove in two runs with a double of his own. The three-run outburst put Iowa ahead 4-1.
Zack Brown made the start for the Missions. It was a tale of two innings for Brown in tonight's start. He allowed an earned run in the first inning and three earned runs in the fourth inning. Six of the hits he allowed came during those two innings. He lasted five innings, allowing four earned runs on nine hits, with four walks and three strikeouts. With the loss, he falls to 2-6 on the year.
The Missions chipped away at the Iowa lead in the bottom of the seventh inning. After a leadoff walk to Travis Shaw, Troy Stokes Jr. doubled which moved Shaw to third. Missions catcher Jacob Nottingham then drove in his 26th run of the season with a sacrifice fly. The Missions brought the Cubs lead down to 4-2.
San Antonio had a golden opportunity to potentially take the lead in the bottom of the eighth inning. Thanks to some walks from reliever Dakota Mekkes, the Missions had the bases loaded with one out. What followed was Shaw striking out swinging and Jake Hager striking out swinging to end the threat.
The Cubs added an insurance run in the ninth inning on an RBI single from Trent Giambrone to make it 5-2.
Former Missions pitcher Colin Rea got the start tonight for the Iowa Cubs. Rea was a thorn in the Missions side all night long. After allowing an earned run in the first inning and giving up two hits, Rea did not allow another base hit for the rest of his outing. He was pulled in the seventh inning and credited with both runs scored by San Antonio. He lasted 6.1 innings while allowing two earned runs on two hits, he walked three and struck out six. With the win, he improves to 10-2.
The Missions hit the road Thursday to begin a four-game road series with the New Orleans Bay Cakes. The Missions have yet to announce their starter for Thursday night. The Baby Cakes will go with right-hander Héctor Noesi (8-4, 3.21 ERA) for the start. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
Post-Game Notes
-With the loss, San Antonio falls to 52-34 on the season.
-With a sixth inning stolen base, Cory Spangenberg now has 17 stolen bases this season. His 17 steals ties him for fifth best in the PCL.
2019 is the 118th season of baseball in San Antonio and first as the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. Single game tickets are on sale now at the Wolff Stadium Box Office or online at samissions.com. Season seat memberships are available now by calling 210-675-PARK (7275).