Offense Backs up Sanchez's Gem in Shutout Win at Tulsa
TL Amarillo Sod Poodles

Offense Backs up Sanchez's Gem in Shutout Win at Tulsa

Published on August 21, 2026 under Texas League (TL)
Amarillo Sod Poodles News Release


TULSA, OK -- The Amarillo Sod Poodles (26-23, 62-55) defeated the Tulsa Drillers (29-20, 75-43), 5-0, on Friday night at ONEOK Field. Amarillo was up to the task in all aspects of the game to even the series with Tulsa at 2-2 and remain in sole possession of first place in the Texas League South Division.

After falling behind early on Thursday, the Soddies were on Dodgers top pitching prospect Christian Zazueta early and often. In the top of the first inning, Cristofer Torin tucked a one-out single inside the third base line to put a duck on the pond for Jansel Luis, who crushed a two-run home run 424 feet to center field two batters later.

In Amarillo's next turn to bat, a Druw Jones leadoff single and stolen base set him up to score easily as Angel Ortiz doubled over the first base bag with one away. Zazueta would settle in over the next two frames, but would find himself in trouble when he faced the Sod Poodles for a third time in the top of the fifth inning.

The top four batters in the Amarillo lineup each rattled off hits, and after Trent Youngblood doubled to the right field corner and a Torin base hit put runners on the corners, back-to-back singles for Avery Owusu-Asiedu and Luis scored one and loaded the bases. The Drillers traded a run for two outs on an Alberto Barriga grounder to put the Soddies up 5-0.

That was plenty of run support for Sod Poodles starting pitcher Junior Sanchez, who continued to be on his A-game while pitching on the road. The No. 28 Diamondbacks prospect worked around the first two batters of the game reaching base, inducing a double play and strikeout to get out of the jam. After the first inning, the Drillers only mustered one more runner in scoring position as Sanchez wound up allowing just three hits and one walk while striking out nine across 5.2 scoreless innings.

Dawson Brown entered in relief to finish off the bottom of the sixth and did not miss a beat, turning in 2.1 no-hit innings. The right-hander struggled a bit with walks and issued three free passes, including two to begin the home half of the eighth, but induced Josue De Paula to roll over into an inning-ending double play to end the threat.

Antonio Menendez manned the ninth inning, and tossed a perfect frame to complete Amarillo's fifth shutout victory of the season.

Brian Curley will climb the hill for the Sod Poodles on Saturday night, while Tulsa counters with Patrick Copen as the series continues at 7:00 p.m.

POSTGAME NOTES

THE SANCHIZE: Junior Sanchez matched a career high at the Double-A level by striking out nine Drillers batters over 5.2 shutout innings on Friday, the most strikeouts by a Soddies starter in a scoreless outing this season...he lowers his ERA in seven road starts to 1.69, which now ranks second in the Texas League (min. 7 GS).

AOA-OK: In yet another multi-hit effort, Avery Owusu-Asiedu extended his hit streak to 10 games tonight...since joining the Sod Poodles on August 11, he is batting .475 (19x40) with 11 runs scored, three doubles, one triple, six home runs, 16 RBI and a 1.601 OPS...between Amarillo and High-A Hillsboro, he has now hit safely 17 straight contests.

Check out the Amarillo Sod Poodles Statistics

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Texas League Stories from August 21, 2026


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