OKLAHOMA CITY - While the buzz around Opening Day in Oklahoma City was Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw, it was the San Antonio Missions who had the last laugh in their debut as a Triple-A ball club. A ninth-inning rally got the Missions' tenure in the Pacific Coast League off to
OKLAHOMA CITY - While the buzz around Opening Day in Oklahoma City was Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw, it was the San Antonio Missions who had the last laugh in their debut as a Triple-A ball club. A ninth-inning rally got the Missions' tenure in the Pacific Coast League off to a winning start.
Jacob Nottingham got the top of the ninth started by ripping a double down the right field line but was subsequently picked off second base. Nate Orf singled to center field and swiped second base and Corey Ray worked his third walk of the game to put runners on first and second. Two batters later Jake Hager delivered a two-run triple to the gap in right center field put the Missions in front for good. He then scampered home to add to the lead. Oklahoma City got a run back in the bottom of the ninth thanks to a Kyle Garlick home run off Josh Fields but Fields was able to hang on and earn the save.
Tyrone Taylor opened up the scoring as he wrapped a home run around the left field foul pole to lead off the second inning and give the Missions a 1-0 advantage. The blast was the first hit for San Antonio as a Triple-A franchise. After Troy Stokes Jr. worked a walk and two batters later was driven home on a line drive base knock to left field from Jacob Nottingham to double San Antonio's lead.
Kershaw was pulled in the fifth inning after reaching his pitch limit. The Missions plated two runs on four hits against the three-time National League Cy Young Award winner. Kershaw walked a pair and fanned a half-dozen in his 4 1/3 inning rehab start.
Oklahoma City evened up the score at two runs apiece in the sixth inning off Jake Petricka. An RBI single from Matt Beaty and RBI double from Edwin Ríos knotted the score.
While Kershaw garnered all the attention, it was San Antonio's Adrian Houser who shined on the mound. The Oklahoma native logged five scoreless innings while allowing just one hit. He walked one and struck out six.
Post-Game Notes
-Tyrone Taylor's second inning home run was the first hit for San Antonio as a Triple-A franchise
-Rick Sweet has now won six straight season-openers
Game two of the five game set is scheduled for Friday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Right-hander Bubba Derby (0-0, --) is scheduled to start for San Antonio while right-hander Daniel Corcio is slated to get the start for Oklahoma City. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.
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).
