Initially a battle on the bump between each team’s starting pitcher, the Amarillo Sod Poodles offense broke through late, handing the San Antonio Missions a 5-3 loss on Wednesday night at Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium. 

Starting for the Missions (49-59) San Diego Padres’ No.7 overall prospect Henry Baez. He and Sod Poodles’ (49-61) starter Dylan Ray battled it out for five quality innings, allowing zero runs through the first four. 

Striking first, Amarillo infielder Tim Tawa smashed a solo home run over the left field wall.

Maintaining his composure after allowing the score, Baez finished the fifth by forcing two groundouts. 

The Missions’ offense responded that same inning with a solo home run of their own. Outfielder Robert Perez Jr. ejected one deep over left field, evening the score at 1-1. 

With both starting pitchers replaced, both squads went scoreless through the sixth and seventh innings. The Sod Poodles’ offense came alive in the top of the eighth, where a single swing decided the victor of the game. 

Facing an even 1-1 count with the bases loaded, Amarillo outfielder Kristian Robinson launched one over left-center field, giving the Sod Poodles a firm 5-1 lead. 

Missions’ infielder Romeo Sanabria cut Amarillo’s lead down to three with an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth. 

Escaping the top of the ninth without giving up a run, the Missions offense would have their chance to leave the stadium with a win. 

With Perez Jr. on second base, infielder Ripken Reyes popped an RBI single into right field, bringing the score to 5-3. 

The following at-bat, Connor Hollis sliced a single into right field, Sanabria joining him on the bags shortly after being walked by Amarillo pitcher Mitchell Stumpo. 

With the bases loaded, San Antonio coach Luke Montz called for a pinch hitter, bringing in infielder Michael De La Cruz to try and secure the win. 

However, there would be no late-game magic for the Missions as De La Cruz struck out swinging. 

Game three of the Missions’ series against the Sod Poodles is set for 7:05 p.m. Thursday at Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium.

Rylan Renteria

Rylan is a psychology major in his junior year at UTSA, and is currently a writer for The Paisano. As a major fan of both the Seattle Seahawks and Mariners, Rylan is also very supportive of the San Antonio Spurs and all UTSA Athletics Aside from watching sports, Rylan enjoys watching horror movies, playing video games and playing intramural sports.