San Antonio Missions infielder Romeo Sanabria (31) bats during a MiLB game against the Frisco RoughRiders in San Antonio, Texas, Wednesday, June, 10, 2026. (Zach Del Bello/San Antonio Express-News)
Despite a discouraging ending to what started as a strong week, the Missions still have something to play for. San Antonio (23-28) is in last place of the Texas League South, but the Missions are still in the mix for a playoff spot. San Antonio is only five games back from division leader Amarillo with 18 regular season games remaining. " It'd be really nice to go in and have a chance in the last series of being in the running of the playoffs," Missions manager Chris Tremie said. "
We're going to have to do a lot of work to get there, and this week will be important. " After winning the first three games of a home series against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, San Antonio dropped the final three contests to split the six-game series. " They made adjustments to us and we did not make them in the latter part of the week," Tremie said. " I think that's kind of telling why in the first half, or the first three days, we were in a good spot and in the last three (days) we were not. "
The Missions won three one-run games from Tuesday through Thursday, with two of the wins being walk offs. San Antonio lost by seven runs Friday night and never fully rebounded before the series ended. " The first three days we played really well," Tremie said. " Timely hitting, two walk-off wins, pitched well, played really good defense. Really good first three games. And the second three days of the week were the exact opposite. We didn't execute.
Our offense struggled. Pitching wasn't as good as it normally is. " McCoy continues hot streak Outfielder Alex McCoy is continuing to make an impact after joining the Double-A Missions from High-A Fort Wayne on Aug_ABBR. 14. The Missions defeated the Naturals, 6-5, after McCoy hit a walk off single in the eleventh inning. The 24-year-old has recorded at least one hit in eight of his nine games for San Antonio. He has 14 hits, three doubles, two home runs and nine RBIs for the Missions so far.
Tremie has been impressed by McCoy's solid two weeks so far. The manager believes the leap from A-ball to the Double-A level is one of the largest jumps in minor leagues, making McCoy's quick progress even more exciting. " The level of play is higher," Tremie said of the differences between Double-A and A-ball. " You have a lot of players at Double-A who have played multiple years at Double-A. Some have even been at Triple-A. There's just more experienced players.
Not always more talented than what's in A-ball, but it's usually a deeper roster. So, you'll have more players on a Double-A roster that belong in Double-A or even higher than you'll see in A-ball most of the time. " McCoy also played a key role in last Tuesday's win, hitting a two-RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning to begin a late comeback for San Antonio. The Missions trailed the Naturals, 5-2, before McCoy's hit. Tirso Ornelas tied the game before Romeo Sanabria hit a single to walk off Northwest Arkansas, 6-5. "
The disadvantage for players (being promoted) is you're going to a level that has more proven, more seasoned players," Tremie said. " The advantage you have is they don't know you. (McCoy's) had a really good week and he had a really good series last week as well. " Up next The Missions are back on the road this week to take on the Springfield Cardinals, the Double-A Affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, at Route 66 Stadium. m. on Tuesday night with starters to be announced.
The Missions hosted the Cardinals earlier this month, winning four out of six games played from Aug_ABBR. 4-9. Springfield (33-18) is the current leader of the Texas League North division. The Cardinals are home to St. Louis' top two prospects by MLB Pipeline's rankings. Catcher and first baseman Rainiel Rodriguez is St. Louis' No. 1 overall prospect and pitcher Liam Doyle is ranked No. 2. " Each player is going to have to do their job," Tremie said. "
And if one of them doesn't do their job, a teammate's going to have to pick them up. That's winning baseball. " Subscribe There’s more to San Antonio with the Express-News. Subscribe today for just 25¢. This article originally published at Missions remain in playoff contention after tough weekend.
