River Monsters Split Series Behind Ham’s Walk-Off Heroics

By Zach Dworaczyk

SAN ANTONIO — Coming off a 4-2 road trip, the San Antonio River Monsters returned to Sullivan Field looking to build momentum during a crucial homestand with serious playoff implications.

The homestand opened with a familiar opponent, as the Victoria Generals came to town for a two-game series on July 9 and 10.

Despite dropping the opener, San Antonio answered in dramatic fashion Friday night. Third baseman Hunter Ham delivered the biggest swing of the series, launching a walk-off grand slam to lift the River Monsters to a 14-11 victory and secure a series split.

Throughout the two-game set, the River Monsters (5-4) showed serious offensive firepower against a Generals team (5-5) that has already punched its ticket to the postseason.

In the first game of the series, San Antonio put Victoria on the ropes early, carrying a commanding 7-4 lead into the top of the sixth inning.

The River Monsters set the tone with a three-run first inning. Designated hitter Hunter Ham opened the scoring with a two-run single to center field, and first baseman Bruno Robles followed with an RBI single to bring Ham home and give San Antonio a 3-0 lead.

Robles and Javier Diaz added to the momentum with home runs in the fourth and fifth innings, helping the River Monsters stretch their advantage heading into the sixth.

Victoria, however, responded with a decisive rally. A series of hits with the bases loaded, highlighted by a bases-clearing triple from Generals catcher Roman Cariaga, powered a seven-run inning and flipped the game in Victoria’s favor.

The Generals continued to add insurance runs in the eighth and ninth innings, handing San Antonio a 13-7 loss.

On the mound, Jake Ramirez provided two innings of work for the River Monsters, striking out three while allowing two earned runs.

The offensive fireworks carried into Friday night, even after San Antonio fell behind 1-0 in the first inning.

Diaz quickly changed the tone, launching a two-run home run over the left-field wall to give the River Monsters a 2-1 lead. Robles kept his hot streak alive with an RBI single to right field before second baseman David Dehoyos doubled to center, driving in two more runs.

Catcher Juan Garcia capped off the electric first inning with an RBI single to right field, pushing San Antonio’s lead to 6-1.

After Victoria scored twice in the top of the third, the River Monsters responded immediately. Right fielder Roman Trinidad sparked the inning with an RBI triple to center field, and Diaz followed with a single to left to bring Trinidad home and extend San Antonio’s lead back to five.

The Generals continued to battle, cutting the deficit to one run in the fourth inning. San Antonio answered again with an RBI single from Dehoyos, making it 9-7.

After the fourth, the River Monsters’ offense cooled while Victoria began to heat up. The Generals eventually climbed in front, taking an 11-9 lead and putting San Antonio’s backs against the wall late.

But the River Monsters refused to go quietly.

Trinidad delivered a clutch single to bring San Antonio within one run, setting the stage for Ham with the bases loaded.

With a full count and the game on the line, Ham took matters into his own hands. He drove a walk-off grand slam over the center-field wall, sending Sullivan Field into celebration and giving the River Monsters a thrilling 14-11 win.

Along with Ham’s heroics, Diaz and Dehoyos combined for six RBI in a powerful offensive showing for San Antonio.

On the mound, Robles settled in across four strong innings, striking out five while limiting Victoria to just one earned run.

The River Monsters now turn their attention to a weekend series against the Lake Charles Gumbeaux Gators on July 11 and 12 at Sullivan Field, with another opportunity to strengthen their playoff push in front of the home crowd.