SAN ANTONIO – Ethan Salas led off the bottom of the first with a bunt single down the third base line, followed by a Ryan Jackson single to right field.
Then nothing.
Romeo Sanabria sacrificed both runners to second before Frisco got the final two outs of the inning. The RoughRiders set down the next 16 Missions’ batters out before Salas lined an opposite-field single to left with one out in the sixth for the club’s final hit.
With the offense sputtering, the Missions dropped their second straight game, 5-0 to fall into the cellar of their division.
“I was looking for Romeo to hit in that situation, but the third baseman was playing so deep that Romeo thought he might be able to beat it out for a hit, and in the worst-case scenario, he moved both the runners over,” said San Antonio manager Brian Burres, who is filling in this week for manager Chris Tremie.
“The pitcher is the one who fielded it, and you always want to make him move around some and not get settled. Romeo hasn’t bunted much in his career, but that is something we do work on, and I think he felt comfortable trying to push it down the line for a hit.”
Eric Yost took the mound on Wednesday. (Photo: San Antonio Missions)
Eric Yost got the start but was only able to go three and a third innings, throwing 66 pitches, with only 39 for strikes. It was Yost’s first start since May 9, although he has made two relief appearances since then.
“Yost has been dealing with a few nagging injuries; that’s why we have been a little careful with him,” said Burres. “There was a pretty lefty-heavy lineup, and when you are missing in the middle of the plate, they will drop the head to it.
“Eric has good stuff, I’m sure he’ll bounce back in his next start.”
Reliever Andrew Thurman replaced Yost and was able to keep San Antonio close by throwing two and two-thirds shutout innings. Still, the Missions’ offense wasn’t able to generate anything to support him.
“That was a huge stretch that really helped us,” said Burres. “As the series goes on, those are the types of outings that help. It won’t show in this game with a win, but it will help down the road.”
Ethan Salas has been locked in. (Photo: San Antonio Missions)
Ethan Salas collected two of the club’s three hits and reached when he was hit by a pitch in the eighth. The Padres’ top prospect, who just turned 20, leads the Missions in hits (55), home runs (7), and OPS (.805), and is second on the team with 12 stolen bases in 14 attempts.
“He is a guy that every day he is looking to win a baseball game and whatever he can do to make that happen, he is going to do,” said Burres.
“He’s in a great space right now, mentally and physically, and is always looking for the edge.”
Missions Notes: San Antonio will attempt to get their first win of the series with Miguel Mendez taking the mound Thursday. Since the fourth inning Tuesday, they have been outscored 15-0.