Unleashing a home-run barrage

With two outs in the top of the fourth, the Iowa Cubs trailed the Missions by one, and they had the bases loaded and one of their hottest hitters stepping to the plate.
No problem for the Missions.
Right-hander Thomas Jankins delivered, throwing a first-pitch, breaking ball that Trent Giambrone popped up to center field to end the inning.
The Missions used the moment to settle themselves down a bit en route to a 10-2 victory Sunday in a battle of division leaders in the Pacific Coast League.
Home runs by Lucas Erceg, Mauricio Dubón, Cory Spangenberg and Blake Allemand backed the effort of Jankins, who won for the sixth time in his last seven starts.
Right now, the 23-year-old from Worcester, Mass., has emerged as the man for the Missions' pitching staff. It's become almost routine for him to throw strikes to kill rallies in key situations.
"I feel pretty good with my mindset," said Jankins, who pitched six innings and improved to 8-2. "In some high-stress situations, I've been pretty good about executing pitches and sticking with the plan that the catchers have back there.
"We have some pretty good scouting reports, so I trust what we're putting down. It makes it a little easier."
A crowd of 4,138 at Wolff Stadium watched as the Missions avoided what would have been a three-game losing streak and instead ended the month of June not in a swoon, but with a 16-11 record and a 2 and ½-game lead on the Round Rock Express in the American Southern Division.
In addition, they served notice to the American Northern-leading Cubs that, just because offensive threats Keston Hiura and Tyler Saladino have been called up to the major leagues, they're not about to go away.
As a matter of fact, their offense could be getting stronger in the weeks to come if they can get veteran major leaguer Travis Shaw going again.
Shaw was optioned from the Brewers to the Missions on Friday, the day Hiura was called up.
The 6-foot-4, 230-pound slugger was expected in San Antonio on Sunday night and could be activated on Monday for Game 3 of the five-game series against the Cubs, Missions manager Rick Sweet said.
The plan calls for him to play every day, at third and at first base, the manager added.
"He just needs to play," Sweet said. "One thing about (it), when he was down here before (on a rehabilitation assignment) he was feeling very good.
"It's easier to play down here than it is up there. I mean, with the press and the fans, and the way everything goes (in the majors), he needs to get back on track."
The Brewers sent him down after he failed to pull out of a season-long slump.
But Sweet, ever the optimist, sees the potential upside. Shaw hit more than 30 home runs for the Brewers in each of the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
"He's very capable," Sweet said. "He was close (to turning it around) up there (earlier). I talked to (Brewers manager Craig Counsell), and (Shaw) just needs to get down here, with no pressure, other than the pressure of the game, and just play, and get his swing back, and get things going again.
"I think I read that Counsell or (Brewers president) David (Stearns) said, 'We need this guy in our lineup.' He's a 30-plus, home run guy. You don't find those guys."
PCL Standings
American Southern Division - San Antonio 51-32, Round Rock 48-34, New Orleans 45-38, Oklahoma City 34-47
American Northern Division - Iowa 47-36, Omaha 38-45, Nashville 35-47, Memphis 34-49
Holding the best record
The Missions finished April with a record of 15-9 and May at 20-12 before rolling through June at 16-11. The team's 51-32 overall record leads the PCL. The Missions lead the El Paso Chihuahuas, who fell to 50-32 Sunday with a 7-4 home loss to Fresno. El Paso is the leader of the Pacific Southern Division.
Heating up at the plate
Lucas Erceg belted a two-run homer in the fourth that lifted the Missions into a 5-2 lead. It was Erceg's fourth home run in his last seven games and his 11^th of the season. For the game, he finished 2-for-4 with 3 RBI, including a two-run double in the eighth.  
"It feels good," Erceg said. "I'm getting back to hitting the ball hard, squaring it up. I've been working with my coaches, trying to be as consistent as I can with my approach … For the most part, I'm just trying to simplify and not really worry about results."
Nearly going back-to-back-to back
After Mauricio Dubon and Cory Spangenberg belted solo home runs in the fifth inning, David Freitas came close to making it three in a row.
He sent a drive deep to right that initially looked like it had a chance before it was caught by Donnie Dewees.
Dubon is compiling a solid offensive year with a .306 average, 12 homers and 40 RBI.   Spangenberg is batting .306 with a team-leading 15 stolen bases. He's produced 7 homers and 28 RBI.
Welcoming a new arrival
Erceg said he sees potential for the team to capitalize on Shaw's presence.
"We all know what he's capable of doing," Erceg said. "That's hit the crap out of the ball and play really good defense. So, I'm excited to have him. (I want to) pick his brain a little bit. See through his eyes what's going on."
Shaw's presence really should help defensively at the corners on the infield, Erceg said.
"That'll be good," he said. 'It helps us on both sides of the field, to be versatile and open up spots for other players."