TL1 Amarillo Sod Poodles

Late Homer Propels Hooks over Sod Poodles in Series Finale

Published on April 7, 2019 under Texas League (TL1)
Amarillo Sod Poodles News Release


Corpus Christi, Texas - Despite collecting three home runs on the day, the Amarillo Sod Poodles fell to the Corpus Christi Hooks 5-4 on Sunday afternoon at Whataburger Field after Hooks catcher Lorenzo Quintana hit a three-run go-ahead homer in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Amarillo led 4-2 in the eighth when manager Phillip Wellman turned to righty Andres Munoz out of the bullpen. Munoz allowed a single to Josh Rojas to begin the frame. Abraham Toro then hit a bouncing ball to second base that was bobbled by Hudson Potts, allowing Toro to reach and moving Rojas to second.

After retiring the next two batters, Munoz allowed the go-ahead shot to Quintana on a two-strike pitch. The Hooks led 5-4. All three runs charged to Munoz were unearned.

Corpus Christi reliever Colin McKee, who tossed scoreless frames in the seventh and eighth, struck out the side in the ninth to secure a series victory for the Hooks.

The Sod Poodles had plenty of offensive bright spots, including three players belting their first round trippers of the campaign.

Owen Miller started the scoring with a solo home run to left field in the first against Hooks starter Tyler Ivey, giving Amarillo a 1-0 lead. The Hooks responded with a run in the bottom half of the inning against Amarillo starter Lake Bachar, who was solid over five innings. Bachar allowed two runs and just three hits while striking out seven.

After the Hooks took a 2-1 lead in the fourth on Chuckie Robinson's RBI single, the Sod Poodles smashed two home runs in as many innings.

In the fifth, Potts doubled down the left field line to start the inning. With two outs, Jorge Oña lifted a deep fly ball to right centerfield that left the yard. Oña's first blast of the season against lefty Kit Scheetz gave Amarillo a 3-2 edge.

Edward Olivares then led off the sixth with a towering solo home run, giving the Sod Poodles a 4-2 lead.

Blake Rogers spun two scoreless frames in the sixth and seventh out of Amarillo's bullpen before the Hooks rallied back in the eighth.

The Sod Poodles head home to HODGETOWN for the historic home opener on Monday night in downtown Amarillo against the Midland RockHounds.

First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. Right-hander Reggie Lawson will make the start for Amarillo.

NOTES

Homer Happy: The Sod Poodles belted three homers on Sunday afternoon at Whataburger Field (Miller, Oña, Olivares). It was the first multi-home run game in club history.

The Mighty 'Pen: In the first four games of 2019, the Sod Poodles bullpen has allowed just one earned run in 16.1 combined innings.

In Friday night's win, four pitchers (Rogers, Megill, Valdez, Munoz) combined for six innings of one-run ball while striking out eight. On Saturday, Kazuhisa Makita and David Bednar combined for 3.1 innings while allowing just an unearned run.

The Zunica Show: Sod Poodles first baseman Brad Zunica has started 2019 on a tear. In the first four games of 2019, Zunica is 6-for-14 with two home runs, four RBI, and a two walks. He belted 17 home runs and 60 RBI with High-A Lake Elsinore in 2018.

Bringing the Heat: Sod Poodles pitching collected 43 strikeouts during the opening four-game set in Corpus Christi. That tally was second to only the Hooks on the opening weekend of 2019, as Corpus Christi's staff registered 47 strikeouts.

Avila Delivers: Right-hander Pedro Avila delivered the first quality start of Sod Poodles history on Saturday night in Corpus Christi, tossing six innings of one-run ball while striking out five and allowing just two hits.

Hit for Hudson: Amarillo third baseman Hudson Potts collected his first hit in a Sod Poodles uniform with a game-tying RBI single in the eighth inning of Saturday's game.

History in the Making: Friday night's 7-5 win at Whataburger Field marked the first victory in Amarillo Sod Poodles history.

Tomorrow's Preview: The Sod Poodles open up their brand new home, HODGETOWN, at 7:05 p.m. against the Midland RockHounds.

Check out the Amarillo Sod Poodles Statistics

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Texas League Stories from April 7, 2019


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