Winning again with power hitting
Watching Keston Hiura's progress as a baseball player is a little like reading the first chapter of a great adventure novel.It's exhilarating, and you can't stop turning the pages, because you know it's going to get better.The Hiura saga took on a few new dimensions Friday night as the Missions
Watching Keston Hiura's progress as a baseball player is a little like reading the first chapter of a great adventure novel.
It's exhilarating, and you can't stop turning the pages, because you know it's going to get better.
The Hiura saga took on a few new dimensions Friday night as the Missions backed the strong pitching of Thomas Jankins and defeated Félix Hernández and the Tacoma Rainiers, 6-1, in front of a sellout crowd of 7,560 at Wolff Stadium.
Hiura notched two hits for the game and belted a two-run homer to spark a four-run seventh inning.
It was the third home run in two nights for the 22-year-old prodigy, who has hit five round-trippers in nine games since the Milwaukee Brewers sent him back to Triple-A.
Also for the second night in a row, Tyler Saladino supplied thunder to Hiura's lightning with a home run in the same inning as his young friend.
While Hiura's homer glanced off the top of the right field wall, the 29-year-old Saladino smashed a high drive to the back reaches of the grass berm.
Both shots victimized reliever Tyler Cloyd and secured for the Missions to a 2-1 series victory over the Rainiers.
Both managers lauded the play of Hiura, who has ripped 21 home runs in 63 games combined between the minors and the majors.
Tacoma manager Daren Brown managed Hiura in the Arizona fall league last year, so he isn't surprised at what he's seen in the last 48 hours.
"I know what he's about," Brown said. "I know he's a really good hitter. He's a really good player. It's just a matter of time for him. I know he's had a little taste of (the majors) this year. It won't be long before he's back there. I mean, he's a special kind of guy.
"I saw it in the fall league. He can really hit. There's really not any holes to what he does (at the plate)."
Hiura seems to be capitalizing on the use of a more lively major league ball in Triple-A for the first time this season.
In 2018, in leagues that employed a less lively minor-league ball, he hit 13 home runs combined between Class A Carolina and Double-A Biloxi. This year, he is on a pace to hit more than 40.
"It's impressive," Missions manager Rick Sweet said. "It's very, very impressive."
Even though the victory in the finale felt good for the home crowd, it also had a strange feel to it for long-time followers of the ball club.
It was sad for many to see one-time Seattle Mariners ace and former Cy Young award winner Felix Hernandez struggle in 2 and 1/3 innings of a rehabilitation start.
The 33-year-old Hernandez, who pitched in San Antonio as a teenager in 2004, left the game in the third with his future in baseball uncertain.
After planning to throw between 55 and 60 pitches, he threw only 31 and exited without talking to the media.
"I don't think it was anything that was hurt," Brown said. "It was just fatigue. It was his first rehab outing. So, he said his shoulder, it felt like it got tired and (he) couldn't finishes pitches. If you look at what he did, hitting a couple of right-handed hitters with off-speed pitches, that kind of says that.
"He just kind of wasn't able to follow through with what he wanted to do."
Officially, Hernandez pitched 2 and 1/3 innings and yielded two runs on two hits. He walked one and struck out two.
Hernandez has been on the injured list since May 12. On May 14, the Mariners announced that the former six-time All-Star had a Grade 1 lat strain and would be out between four to six weeks.
It's a major concern for the Mariners that he hasn't been able to get past a series of injuries and setbacks over the past four years.
Most fans in San Antonio recall a mid-90s fastball when he was younger, which turned into 97 and 98 mph heat during his hey-day. Hernandez hit no more than 89 Friday on the scoreboard readings.
Missions players were happy to learn that no injury was reported and hat his earlier than expected departure was tied only to fatigue.
"That'll happen when you throw as many innings as he has, as many complete games as he has, all those thing he's done over his really long and successful career," Saladino said. "So, it's one of those things. You can't play forever. But I wish he best for him."
PCL standings
American Southern Division - San Antonio 42-26, Round Rock 40-27, New Orleans 37-31, Oklahoma City 27-39.
Pacific Northern Division - Sacramento 35-32, Fresno 33-34, Tacoma 32-26, Reno 29-38.
Coming up
Reno at San Antonio, four games, Saturday through Tuesday.
Petricka traded
The parent-club Milwaukee Brewers on Friday traded minor league reliever Jake Petricka to the Texas Rangers for a player to be named or for cash considerations.
Petricka played most of the season for the Missions and established himself as one of the team's top pitchers out of the bullpen.
The 31-year-old right-hander was 1-1 with a 1.89 earned run average and three saves. In 19 innings, he struck out 22 and walked four.
Petricka had given up zero earned runs in 12 and 2/3 innings over his last 10 appearances.
Home run leaders
Hiura ranks tied for seventh in the PCL with 16 home runs. Saladino has hit 14 homers and has driven in 51 runs on the season, good for sixth in the league.
Getting established in Triple-A
Thomas Jankins, who started the season in Double-A, keeps improving as a starting pitcher. In his last four starts, he's 3-0 with a 2.38 earned run average. He shut down Tacoma on one run and three hits in six innings.
"You just try and make small improvements every time out there," Jankins said. "There's always something to be learned from every outing. We've got a good group of catchers here that really work with you a lot, where they thin you can be successful, areas you can improve.
"I think we've made some incremental changes throughout the year."
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 –