San Antonio – The San Antonio Missions will play their home opener on Thursday, April 14 at 7:05 p.m. against the NW Arkansas Naturals (Kansas City Royals). The first 1,500 fans to Thursday’s game will receive a Missions thermal mug courtesy of the UT Health Science Center-Allograft Resources.

Right-hander Casey Kelly, the top prospect in the Padres organization, will get the start for the Missions on Thursday.

It will be the first of three games against the Naturals before San Antonio welcomes the Tulsa Drillers (Colorado Rockies) for three games from April 17-19.

The Missions went 3-3 on their six-game, season-opening road trip. One of those victories was a 23-10 bashing of Tulsa on April 11, a game in which San Antonio belted a franchise record eight home runs.

San Antonio enters the homestand on a two-game winning streak and tied for second place in the Texas League Southern Division, two games behind the Midland RockHounds (Oakland A’s).

The Missions currently rank as the best offensive team in the league. They lead the circuit in team batting (.335), runs scored (46), hits (79), doubles (19), home runs (11), RBI (44), slugging percentage (.581) and on-base percentage (.391).

Individually, San Antonio has three players in the top ten in hitting. Outfielder Sawyer Carroll is fifth (.435), third baseman James Darnell is eighth (.429) and shortstop Beamer Weems ranks ninth (.409).

Carroll leads the Texas League in total bases (22) and is also second in the league in slugging (.957), third in hits (10) and has a team-high three homers. Leftfielder Jaff Decker leads the league in walks (7), is second in RBI (8) and third in on-base percentage (.516).

Probable pitching match-ups for the NW Arkansas series:

Thursday, April 14      

NW Arkansas (LH John Lamb 0-0, 6.00 ERA) vs.

San Antonio (RH Casey Kelly 0-0, 6.23 ERA)

Friday, April 15          

NW Arkansas (LH Will Smith 0-0, 2.08 ERA)

San Antonio (RH Jorge Reyes 0-0, 3.60 ERA)

Saturday, April 16      

NW Arkansas (RH Heath Rollins 0-0, 1.50 ERA)

San Antonio (LH Rob Musgrave 0-0, 2.08 ERA)

Homestand Promotional Schedule:

Thursday, April 14       Missions thermal mugs to the first 1,500 fans presented by the UT Health                   Science Center-Allograft Resources

Friday, April 15           Texas Lottery Night featuring the Texas Lottery Race

Saturday, April 16       Post-game fireworks spectacular presented by H-E-B

Sunday, April 17          Cereal Bowls to the first 500 kids 12 and under presented by Kellogg’s

Monday, April 18        WellMed Senior Sluggers day – All seniors 65 and over or those eligible for Medicare, will receive a complimentary reserved seat ticket and drink (bottled water or soda)

Tuesday, April 19        Cricket $2 Tuesday - $2 reserved tickets, $2 parking and $2 draft beer

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