Sod Poodles Drop Series Opener to Hooks
June 6, 2019 - Texas League (TL1)
Amarillo Sod Poodles News Release
Corpus Christi, Texas - The Sod Poodles fell to the Corpus Christi Hooks on Thursday night in the opener of a four-game series at Whataburger Field, 3-1.
With the game tied 1-1 in the seventh, Corpus Christi plated two runs against righty David Bednar. Chas McCormick delivered an RBI single, while the Hooks scored another on a wild pitch to take a 3-1 lead.
Sod Poodles starter Lake Bachar tossed five innings of one-run ball, allowing just a solo home run to Granden Goetzman in the second inning.
In the fifth, Amarillo tied the game against Corpus Christi starter J.B. Bukauskas. Taylor Kohlwey began the frame with a single while Buddy Reed collected a one-out single. Edward Olivares then hit a slow grounder up the third base line as Kohlwey scored to pull the Sod Poodles even at 1-1.
Bukauskas would allow just the one run in six innings of work.
After the Hooks' starter departed, righty Layne Henderson tossed a scoreless seventh. In the eighth, the Sod Poodles put two runners on-base with two outs. Nick Hernandez entered from Corpus Christi's bullpen and retired A.J. Kennedy to end the threat.
Hernandez returned to the mound for the ninth and set the side down in order, picking up his first save in the process.
The Sod Poodles and Hooks continue their series on Friday night. First pitch is at 7:15 p.m. Right-hander Ronald Bolaños makes his Double-A debut for Amarillo while Corpus Christi counters with righty Bryan Abreu.
The game is aired on 940 AM KIXZ and via streaming platforms. Pregame coverage starts at 6:55 p.m. with Sam Levitt on the play-by-play call.
NOTES:
Welcome To The Club: A.J. Kennedy joins the Soddies on June 4 from Triple-A El Paso and made his first start at catcher Wednesday afternoon. Kennedy threw out one base stealer and as many attempts. At the plate, Kennedy went 2-for-4 with a double and a run.
Scholtens Against Frisco: Jesse Scholtens has been brilliant in his last two outings against the RoughRiders. On Wednesday Scholtens tossed six innings while striking out eight Frisco batters and only allowed two runs on six hits. Last Thursday in Frisco, Scholtens didn't allow a run on only two hits. Scholtens allowed one walk and recorded seven strikeouts on 94 pitches.
That Hurts: The Sod Poodles pitching staff allowed three home runs in the series finale against the Frisco RoughRiders. Two of the home runs were solo blasts and the third homer being a two-run shot off the bat of Lopes.
Running!: Edward Olivares stole his 14th base on Thursday night. His stolen base remains top-10 in the Texas League.
Strength In Numbers: During the mid-week three-game series against Frisco the Sod Poodles drew a combined attendance of 18,343. Monday night's attendance was 6,142, Tuesday 7,049, and Wednesday afternoon 5,647.
Not Good: The Sod Poodles were 0-for-15 with runners in scoring position during Wednesday's game against the RoughRiders.
A Bit of June Gloom?: After starting June on the road going 2-0, the Sod Poodles have dropped their last four.
Swept: The Soddies were swept for the second time this season Wednesday when they drop three straight games to the Frisco RoughRiders. The other time Amarillo was swept this season was when the Sod Poodles dropped a three-game series to Midland on April 15 - April 17.
Tatis' Rehab Assignment: In his second game of Major League rehab in Amarillo, Tatis went 1-for-2 with a walk and a run scored. In his first game of Major League rehab, the San Diego Padres 20-year-old rookie shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. went 1-for-3 with a run scored, a stolen base, and two walks. Tatis was placed on the 10-day injured list on April 29 due to a left hamstring strain. Over 27 games in his 2019 rookie season with the Padres, Tatis is batting .300 (30-for-100) with 14 runs, five doubles, one triple, six home runs, 13 RBI, eight walks, and six stolen bases. The Dominican native entered 2019 rated as the No. 1 overall prospect by ESPN.com and No. 2 by Baseball America and MLB Pipeline.
Hit-Machine Miller: Owen Miller collected another hit Tuesday night against Frisco. Miller has collected a grand total of 67 hits in 2019.
Strikeout Kings: Sod Poodles pitching leads the Texas League with 580 strikeouts.
Ramirez En Fuego: Righty Emmanuel Ramirez made his ninth start of the season on Tuesday and tossed seven strong innings while allowed just three runs (2 ER) on eight hits with three strikeouts. It marked the third start in his last four where he spanned six innings or more. In his last three starts (19.1 IP), he has only allowed four earned runs.
And Another One: Outfielder Buddy Reed recorded his fourth assist in centerfield Tuesday evening, doubling up a tagging Michael De Leon at third base on a stretched throw from deep centerfield for the out at third base. He leads all Texas League centerfielders in the assists category.
Baez Holding Down the Fort: Michel Baez tossed a season-high two and two-thirds innings Monday night in his fourth game with Amarillo. In 8.2 IP, Baez has allowed just two earned runs on 10 hits with three walks and 13 strikeouts. Monday night marked the most hits allowed by the reliever in an appearance this season.
So Rad: Sod Poodles lefty Travis Radke tossed three scoreless frames for the win on Sunday in Midland, retiring all nine batters he faced to pick up his third victory of the season. In his last seven outings, Radke has allowed just one earned run in 11.2 innings pitched. On Sunday, he lowered his ERA to 1.74.
Texas League Stories from June 6, 2019
- Riders Quieted in Series Opener - Frisco RoughRiders
- Sod Poodles Drop Series Opener to Hooks - Amarillo Sod Poodles
- Bukauskas Strong as Hooks Win Opener - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Rain Washes out Opener in Tulsa - Arkansas Travelers
- Drillers and Travs Rained Out - Tulsa Drillers
- Naturals Game Postponed on June 6th - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Blanco's Bomb Sinks Hooks in Extras - Corpus Christi Hooks
- RockHounds Beat Hooks in Extras to Take Series - Midland RockHounds
- McCaughan and Big Offense Pace Travs to Win - Arkansas Travelers
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