Morejon, Potts Deliver Despite RockHounds' Late Rally to Beat Soddies
April 16, 2019 - Texas League (TL1)
Amarillo Sod Poodles News Release
MIDLAND, Texas - Left-hander Adrian Morejon shined through 5.2 scoreless innings on Tuesday, but the Midland RockHounds used a five-run rally in the eighth inning to come from behind and beat the Amarillo Sod Poodles 6-2 at Security Bank Ballpark.
Morejon, who allowed just two hits and struck out seven, was matched by Midland righty Parker Dunshee. Dunshee also tossed five solid innings to keep the ballgame scoreless.
In the sixth, the Sod Poodles broke through against Dunshee. Third baseman Hudson Potts belted a solo home run to deep left field with one out, giving Amarillo a 1-0 lead. It was Potts' first homer of the 2019 season.
With two runners on-base later in the frame, Jorge Oña singled to right field. Midland right fielder Greg Deichmann bobbled the ball, allowing Brad Zunica to score from second. Amarillo led 2-0.
After recording the final out of the sixth, righty Nick Kuzia returned for the seventh out of Amarillo's bullpen. Kuzia was making his Double-A debut.
Kuzia allowed a leadoff single by Mikey White and then struck out Deichmann. He proceeded to give up a pair of consecutive singles to Luke Perisco and Nate Mondou. With the bases loaded, Kuzia walked Collin Theroux to bring in Midland's first run.
Edwin Diaz then stepped in and hit a go-ahead grand slam to left field, giving the RockHounds a 5-2 lead. Midland got one more run in the eighth against righty Dauris Valdez.
Meanwhile, right-hander Angel Duno tossed 1.2 scoreless frames out of Midland's bullpen while Trey Cochran-Gill followed with a pair of scoreless innings to end the game.
Another bright spot for Amarillo's offense was Zunica, who collected two singles.
The Sod Poodles and RockHounds wrap up their three-game set on Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. Amarillo sends righty Pedro Avila to the mound while Midland counters with righty Logan Verrett.
The game is aired on 940 AM KIXZ and via streaming platforms beginning at 6:10 p.m. with Sam Levitt on the call.
NOTES
Adrian's Awesome Day: Left-hander Adrian Morejon put together his finest outing of the early season on Tuesday in Midland, tossing 5.2 scoreless innings. Morejon struck out seven while allowing just two hits. He picked up the no-decision in Amarillo's 6-2 loss.
Hudson Homers: Hudson Potts delivered his first home run of 2019 with a go-ahead solo shot in the sixth inning of Tuesday's game in Midland. The 20-year-old belted 19 home runs between High-A Lake Elsinore and Double-A San Antonio in 2018.
Mound Issues: In the last three games, Amarillo pitching has allowed 28 runs and 32 hits. This include a trio of five-run innings in the last three games. Corpus Christi achieved the feat on Sunday, while Midland has done it in their wins on both Monday and Tuesday.
Hooray for Higgins: Tyler Higgins tossed 1.1 innings of scoreless baseball on Monday night. Higgins now has a 1.23 ERA in 7.1 innings this season, while striking out 11 and issuing no walks.
What's the Yardage?: Buddy Reed, Edward Olivares, and Jorge Oña all went deep Sunday afternoon. It marked Oña's third of 2019, Olivares' second and Reed's team-leading sixth home run of the week and season.
A Week for the Books: Buddy Reed had a week for the books. The New York native went 10-for-28 (.357) with six home runs, including an inside-the-park home run, 13 RBI, four walks, a stolen base, and nine runs scored during Amarillo's opening homestand.
Needed A Cart: Amarillo arms walked a total of 10 batters Sunday afternoon against Corpus Christi to set a new season-high as a team. The previous high as a team was seven (4/10/19 vs. MID).
Non-Pitchers Pitching: On Sunday, infielder Chris Baker made his first pitching appearance ever as a professional, tossing a hitless, scoreless inning with one walk, marking the first non-pitcher to pitch for the Sod Poodles in franchise history.
First Homestand in the Books: The Sod Poodles completed their inaugural seven-game homestand the week of April 8. The team finished with a 4-3 record (1-2 against Midland, 3-1 against Corpus Christi). HODGETOWN, the home of the Sod Poodles, drew an impressive 41,275 fans from across Amarillo and the Texas Panhandle.
First Series Won: The Sod Poodles earned their first series win as a franchise after falling in the first two of the 2019 campaign (@ Corpus Christi, vs. Midland).
That's A First: Chris Baker, who appeared in one other game earlier in the homestand as a pinch runner, stepped up to the plate Saturday night for his first Double-A at-bat and came up big for the home squad with his first hit in the fifth inning - an RBI double to tie the game at 1-1.
Reed All About It: Buddy Reed hit his sixth home run of the season on Sunday afternoon, taking the team lead in homers. On Thursday night, the centerfielder knocked the first inside-the-park home run at HODGETOWN. On the week, Reed combined for 10-for-28 with six home runs, 13 RBI, and nine runs scored.
Welcome to the Club: Peter Van Gansen knocked his first home run of the 2019 season on Friday night at HODGETOWN. The California native collected four total last season with San Antonio.
Amarillo Bombers: The Sod Poodles have hit 20 home runs this season in 13 games and lead the Texas League and Double-A overall.
Long Ball Attack: The Sod Poodles have hit at least one home run in all but three games so far this season.
Sod Poodles First Call Up: Pedro Avila became the first Amarillo Sod Poodles player to be called up to the Majors. The 22-year-old right-hander made his first Major League start against Arizona tonight, earning his first Major League win after tossing 5.1 innings, allowing just one earned run on four hits. Avila made one start for Amarillo while in Corpus Christi tossing six innings of two-hit ball.
Tomorrow's Preview: The Sod Poodles and RockHounds wrap up their three-game set on Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. Amarillo sends righty Pedro Avila to the mound while Midland counters with righty Logan Verrett.
Texas League Stories from April 16, 2019
- Riders Surge Late But Come up Short in Corpus Christi - Frisco RoughRiders
- Cards Lose at Home for First Time in 225 Days, 11-0 to Drillers - Springfield Cardinals
- Diaz Grand Slam Lifts Hounds to Third Straight Win - Midland RockHounds
- Offense Erupts for 11 Runs as Drillers Blank Cards - Tulsa Drillers
- Morejon, Potts Deliver Despite RockHounds' Late Rally to Beat Soddies - Amarillo Sod Poodles
- Sod Poodles Open Three-Game Series with Hooks Thursday at Hodgetown - Amarillo Sod Poodles
- Riders Return Home Thursday for Big Weekend - Frisco RoughRiders
- Drillers Back at ONEOK Field for Brief Homestand April 18-20 - Tulsa Drillers
- Cards Top Drillers 6-5 in Series Opener, Win 5th Straight - Springfield Cardinals
- Travs Spin Second Straight Shutout - Arkansas Travelers
- RockHounds Shutout Sod Poodles - Midland RockHounds
- Mr. Clutch: Robinson Drives Walk-Off Win - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Bats Silenced by Travelers Pitching, Naturals Blanked 2-0 - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Drillers Fail to Hold Early Lead in Loss to Cards - Tulsa Drillers
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