Struggling on the homestand
In the wake of a 4-5 record on the homestand, it's apparent that the Missions aren't hitting the ball very well, and they haven't pitched nearly as consistently as they once did when they were rolling toward the best record in the Pacific Coast League.Their lead in the American Southern
In the wake of a 4-5 record on the homestand, it's apparent that the Missions aren't hitting the ball very well, and they haven't pitched nearly as consistently as they once did when they were rolling toward the best record in the Pacific Coast League.
Their lead in the American Southern Division, once at 4 and ½ games, has been reduced to a half game over the Round Rock Express.
But with a four-game road series at New Orleans starting Thursday night, Missions manager Rick Sweet isn't overly concerned.
He seems to think players who are struggling will come around.
Even after his ejection Wednesday night in the first inning of what turned out to be a 5-2 loss to the Iowa Cubs, he just tried to make the best of it.
Sweet watched the game on television from his office.
He soaked up the air conditioning and even got a head start on his daily report for the parent-club Milwaukee Brewers.
The break from his usual grind seemed to give him a fresh perspective on what needs to happen for his team to start turning it around.
In his postgame interview, he was asked particularly about the struggles of an offense that scored only seven runs in its last three games.
"A lot of it is the changing (personnel) of our club," Sweet said. "We've got to get Tyrone (Taylor) and Travis Shaw, (going). We need to get both of them (going). I see both of them doing good things. We need to get them back on track.
"Quite frankly, it was different being in here, getting to watch the TV feed, rather than being out there … I got to see some replays … We've got some guys that are getting closer, getting better. Obviously, we're not swinging the bats as well as we have, at times."
During the homestand, the Missions split four games against Round Rock. They followed by losing three of five against Iowa.
A lack of offense was the culprit most of the time.
They scored 10 runs twice - once each in victories over Round Rock and Iowa. But outside of those blowout victories, they were held to three runs or less in the remaining seven games.
For the nine-game stretch, they averaged four runs per outing, which is well off their season-long pace of 5.1.
Missions shortstop Mauricio Dubón tried his best to explain what happened in the homestand finale, when the Missions had a chance to clinch the series against the Cubs -- and came up with only three hits.
"It's baseball," Dubon said. "It happens. It can happen to anybody. It's a team sport. We didn't hit. We didn't hit. At the end of the day, that's what happened."
The game got off to a bumpy start for the Missions when the Cubs scored a run in the top of the first with the help of two questionable calls that brought Sweet out of the dugout to argue.
He was tossed after the second discussion.
"I gave 'em the first call that they blew, and I wasn't going to give 'em the second call, it was that simple,"' Sweet said. "I cut 'em some slack on the first call. Two calls like that in one inning - inexcusable."
Iowa pitcher Colin Rea, formerly of the Missions, won his 10th game and improved to a sparkling 10-2.
In a dominant performance, Rea shut down the Missions on two runs and two hits in 6 and 1/3 innings. The 6-foot-5 right-hander struck out six and walked three.
Speaking with reporters in the visitors' dugout afterward, he said he feels fully recovered from elbow surgery that knocked him out of the 2017 season.
"I think me and (catcher Francisco) Arcia were just changing speeds really well in the zone," Rea said. "(We were) attacking with the fastball. The fastball had really good life today, probably the best of the year."
Losing three top players
The Missions once had a 47-26 record and a seven-game winning streak. Since then, they have dropped eight of 13 games. During that time, pitcher Aaron Wilkerson and sluggers Keston Hiura and Tyler Saladino have been called up to the Brewers. Wilkerson was called up on June 22. Hiura and Saladino were called up on June 27.
PCL standings
American Southern Division - San Antonio 52-34, Round Rock 51-34, New Orleans 47-39, Oklahoma City 34-50.
American Northern Division - Iowa 49-37, Nashville 38-47, Omaha 38-48, Memphis 35-51.
Note: Division winners from the American Southern and American Northern meet in the first round of the playoffs.
Making room for Hernán Pérez
Former Milwaukee Brewers utility specialist Hernan Perez will join the Missions in New Orleans, manager Rick Sweet said.
Perez has played 606 games in the major leagues and is a .254 career hitter. He played 59 games this year and hit .235.
The 28-year-old from Venezuela accepted an outright assignment to the Missions after recently clearing waivers.
Last week, he was designated for assignment by the Brewers.
"He got ahold of me early this morning (and) said he was coming," Sweet said. "He's super utility. Played everything in the big leagues. I don't think he's caught. But he's their emergency pitcher. He's everything."
Three prominent newcomers
Perez joins pitcher Drew Smyly as former major league veterans set to join the Missions on their four-game trip to New Orleans.
Smyly, a left-handed starter, is coming in as a free agent after spending the first few months of the season with the Texas Rangers.
When Perez and Smyly are activated, they'll join infielder Travis Shaw on the Missions' 25-man roster.
Shaw, who plays both third and first base, has produced one hit - a single -- in 10 at bats in his first three games. He's struck out five times.
Mexican League Returns to San Antonio on March 28-30
SAN ANTONIO, Jan. 31, 2025 — The San Antonio Missions, playing as the Flying Chanclas de San Antonio, will host the Acereros de Monclova of the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol (LMB) in an exhibition series at Nelson Wolff Stadium. Games are scheduled for 7:05 p.m. on Friday, March 28, and
Padres Unveil 2025 San Antonio Missions Coaching Staff
SAN ANTONIO, Jan. 17, 2025 — The San Antonio Missions, in accordance with the San Diego Padres, are thrilled to announce their coaching staff for the 2025 season. Luke Montz returns for his third consecutive season as manager. Joining Montz is pitching coach Jeff Andrews, who will also be in
Missions in the Bigs - 2024
73 Players Across 28 Teams SAN ANTONIO – Year in and year out, Missions players are leaving their mark on Major League Baseball. The Missions have an illustrious history dating back to 1888. Over that time, players like Adrian Beltre, Pedro Martinez, Joe Morgan, Mike Piazza, Brooks Robinson and Fernando
2025 Home Game Times Announced
Home Opener Friday, April 4th at 7:05 p.m. Against Amarillo SAN ANTONIO – The official game times for the San Antonio Missions 2025 season have been announced. The Missions will host the Amarillo Sod Poodles for opening night at 7:05 p.m. on Friday, April 4th. San Antonio will play most
Banana Ball Coming to Wolff Stadium in 2025
Texas Tailgaters to Play the Party Animals on September 12th and 13th SAN ANTONIO – Nelson Wolff Stadium will host Banana Ball on Friday, September 12th and Saturday, September 13th of 2025. This was announced during the Banana Ball World Tour City Draft Thursday night. The Texas Tailgaters will square
Henry Baez Named Padres MiLB Pitcher of the Year
Former Missions OF Tirso Ornelas Named MiLB Player of the Year SAN ANTONIO – The San Diego Padres announced Sunday their 2024 MiLB Player and Pitcher of the Year. Missions pitcher Henry Baez and former Missions outfielder Tirso Ornelas were each recognized for their performances this season. Baez, 21, made
San Antonio Ends the Season with A Victory
SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Missions concluded the 2024 season on Sunday. The club finished the season on a high note with a 9-5 victory over the Springfield Cardinals. With a strong start from Daniel Camarena, plus a four-run sixth inning, the Missions defeated the Cardinals. San Antonio finished
Mears Leaves the Yard in Saturday Night Defeat
SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Missions continued their six-game series with the Springfield Cardinals Saturday night. Both clubs were held scoreless until the fifth inning when Springfield plated three runs. Joshua Mears homered for the second straight night to cut the deficit to 3-2. Matt Svanson converted his 27th
Three-Run 7th Inning Lifts Missions Past Cardinals
SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Missions continued their six-game series with the Springfield Cardinals Friday night. In a 1-1 game, the Missions plated three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. With an insurance run in the eighth inning, San Antonio secured a 5-2 victory. Braden Nett was
Baez Tosses Another Quality Start in Thursday Night Victory
SAN ANTONIO – The Flying Chanclas de San Antonio returned to Wolff Stadium Thursday night for the final time this season. Henry Baez continued his brilliance and recorded his fifth win of the season on Thursday. San Antonio plated four runs in the fourth inning paving the way for a
Krob Tosses Quality Start in Wednesday Night Defeat
SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Missions continued their final series of the 2024 season Wednesday night. Despite a quality start from Austin Krob, the Missions dropped their second consecutive contest to the Cardinals. Springfield claimed a 2-1 victory. The Missions put to go-ahead run on base in the ninth
Vilar Homers and Doubles in Game One Loss
SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Missions began their final series of the 2024 season Tuesday night. After claiming the series victory in Tulsa, the Missions welcomed the Springfield Cardinals to Wolff Stadium. The Cardinals plated seven runs on 15 hits en route to a game one victory. Sam Whiting
Missions Claim First Series Victory Since Early July
San Antonio Falls to Tulsa in 11-Inning Thriller
SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Missions continued their six-game series with the Tulsa Drillers Saturday night. The two clubs needed 11 innings to determine a winner. In the bottom of the 11th inning, Donovan Casey drove in Noah Miller with a single to left field. The Missions held a
Henry Baez Deals, Missions Run Away from Drillers Late
TULSA, Okla. – A tight game through seven innings blew up late when the San Antonio Missions scored six runs in the eighth inning on the way to a 9-3 win over the Tulsa Drillers. For San Antonio, the victory results in a three-game win streak for the first time
Don't sleep on these loaded MiLB teams
Following last Friday’s second Opening Day, all four full-season levels of Minor League Baseball are officially playing their 2024 regular seasons. That has given us a few days to take in and digest rosters across Triple-A, Double-A, High-A and Single-A to determine the best of the best. Some are loaded
Get to know Padres player development's Allison Luneborg
PEORIA, ARIZ – Prospects like Ethan Salas and Jackson Merrill are a large part of why the Padres have the No. 4 farm system in baseball. But there are many folks behind the scenes who also help make the organization shine. One of them is Allison Luneborg. The Ohio native
Hall of Fame trio's road to greatness began in MiLB
The walls of Cooperstown are about to get a little more crowded. The Baseball Writers’ Association of America announced Tuesday night that Adrián Beltré, Joe Mauer and Todd Helton would be inducted in to the baseball Hall of Fame as the Class of 2024. Players must have their names checked
The quirkiest mascots from across the Minors
Standing out in the Minor Leagues requires talent, commitment and persistence. If you've got none of those things, a ridiculous costume might do. The world of the Minors is filled with all kinds of characters -- from prospects making pro debuts to rehabbing Major League veterans -- but perhaps none
Salas, Snelling highlight Padres' Organization All-Stars
Each offseason, MiLB.com goes position by position across each organization and honors the players -- regardless of age or prospect status -- who had the best seasons in each farm system. Next up in our 2023 Organization All-Stars series are the San Diego Padres. 2023 organization summary: Triple-A El Paso:
Copa celebrations bring la Diversión
Each month, MiLB.com spotlights an aspect of Copa de la Diversión, Minor League Baseball's Hispanic fan engagement initiative sponsored by Nationwide, the program's official insurance partner. This edition celebrates the unique ballpark entertainment that lives up to the spirit of the Copa program. Check out our look at the similar
17-year-old Salas heading to Double-A (report)
Ethan Salas won’t turn 18 years old until June 2024. But the Padres' top prospect continues to rise up the Minor League ranks. Salas, MLB Pipeline’s No. 5 prospect, has been promoted to Double-A San Antonio, according to multiple reports. The club has not confirmed the news. The 17-year-old catcher
Fans recall first Minor League experiences
This is an excerpt from the latest edition of the Ben's Biz Beat Newsletter, bringing Minor League Baseball business and culture news to your inbox each and every Thursday. Check out the full newsletter HERE. Subscribe HERE.
The best of the Padres' Minor League ballparks
The Minor League Ballpark Guides series presented by Wyndham brings all the most fun features of Minors ballparks across America (and one in Canada!) onto your desktop, tablet or mobile device, whether you're interested in taking a virtual tour from where you sit or planning a trip to catch some
20 for ‘22: Looking back on a monumental year
It’s been two seasons since the Minor Leagues’ transformation into its current shape. Some clubs are settled into new surroundings while others continue to build on their illustrious histories. An expanded Minor League schedule and the elevation of many teams to full-season play have brought about cumulative franchise records –