Sod Poodles Edge RockHounds in Opener
Published on May 24, 2019 under Texas League (TL1)
Midland RockHounds News Release
Through much of the 2019 season's first half, two elements (figuratively and literally) have been a little rough at times on the RockHounds - - Mother Nature and holding on to late-inning leads. After losing a 2-1 lead in the eighth inning at Frisco Wednesday afternoon, the 'Hounds saw a 4-3 advantage slip away just before midnight Thursday at Amarillo.
Owen Miller's bases-loaded single capped a two-run ninth inning rally as the Sod Poodles edged the RockHounds, 5-4, in the opener of a four-game series at HODGETOWN (again, that's how they spell it, for whatever the reason).
The 5-4 score was the only time the Sod Poodles led the game, with the RockHounds using the long ball to build advantages of 2-0 and 4-2. Jonah Heim's home run to right field in the second inning and Dairon Blanco's blast to deep right in the third (both solo) gave the 'Hounds a 2-0 lead.
Brad Zunica, who has been a nemesis for 'Hounds pitching, drilled a two-run double to deep left-center in the fourth to tie the game at 2-2.
An error committed by Sod Poodles third baseman Chris Baker in the fifth proved costly as, one batter later, Blanco hit his second home run of the game (and is as many at-bats), an absolute rocket far beyond the short (345 feet) wall in left field. After the Sod Poodles got one run back in the home half of the fifth, neither team scored again until Amarillo's game-winning rally in the ninth.
Both clubs had chances along the way. Despite being out-hit, 14-5, the RockHounds had two on in the eighth and loaded the bases (on walks) in the ninth but failed to add to the lead.
John Gorman entered the game in the eighth with runners at the corners and no outs and escaped the jam but gave up back-to-back one-out singles to Taylor Kohlway and Rodrigo Orozco to set the table in the ninth. Ivan Castillo's single (his second RBI) tied the game and (after an intentional walk loaded the bases) Miller's single ended the contest.
Notable
Baseball was invented as a game to be played in the daytime and in sunshine. Thursday's game, scheduled for 7:05 p.m., was delated nearly two hours (1:54) due to rain and was played in temperatures in the low-to-mid 50's with heavy mist (almost more a fog) throughout, ending at quarter to midnight.
Corpus Christi moved to within a half-game of first place Frisco in the Texas League South Division with a 5-4 win over the RoughRiders (in 11 innings) at "the beach." Frisco is 25-22 and the Hooks 24-22 with the RockHounds (22-24) remaining two-and-a-half games back and Amarillo (21-24) moving to within three. With home field wins Friday, the Hooks and Sod Poodles could shake up the division - - Corpus would leapfrog Frisco into the top spot and the Sod Poodles to move into third, ahead of the RockHounds.
There are 23 games remaining in the first half pennant race.
"Insult to Injury" Department - Mikey White (0-for-4 with a pair of line drive outs) lost his 20-game on-base streak and Edwin Diaz saw his 13-game on-base string snapped (his last chance went away on a perfect sac bunt in the eighth).
Chase Calabuig (1-for-3, walk) extended his on-base streak to 14 games (with hits in 12 of them) and his current hit steak to six games (8-for-20, .400, HR, four RBI). Chase, who is hitting .291 in the 13-gamer, has been on base in 27-of-29 games overall (games with at least one plate appearance)
Luis Barrera went 0-for-4 but walked intentionally along the way and has reached base in 12 straight games (hits in 10 of them). He is hitting.264 (14-for-53) in that stretch.
HODGETOWN is the most power-hitter-friendly park in the league, but both of Dairon Blanco's homers were the real deal. His drive to right was a towering home run that landed at the top of grass berm and his laser to left (one of those that is out of the ballpark before it can be described on radio) was one of most impressive swings of the season. Of Dairon's four home runs this season, three have come at Amarillo (including a grand slam).
Amarillo's Brad Zunica has hit for power thus far but has also hit for average against the RockHounds. The Sod Poodles first baseman is hitting .230 overall, with nine home runs and 22 RBI. Against the 'Hounds, he is hitting .364 (12-for-33) with four HR and nine RBI.
Next Game
Friday, May 24 vs. Amarillo Sod Poodles
HODGETOWN Amarillo, Texas
First pitch 7:05 p.m.
- Second of a four-game series and fifth of a seven-game road trip
- Radio: NewsTalk 550 with Bob Hards ... airtime 7:00 p.m.
Probable Starters
AMA: Jesse Scholtens (RH, 2-1, 6.00)
RH: James Naile (RH, 3-4, 6.70)
Next at Security Bank Ballpark
The RockHounds open a six-game homestand on Tuesday, May 28
May 28-30 vs. Corpus Christi Hooks
May 31-June 2 vs. Amarillo Sod Poodles
Texas League Stories from May 24, 2019
- Sod Poodles Edge RockHounds in Opener - Midland RockHounds
- Drillers Win Fifth Straight - Tulsa Drillers
- Contributions from All over Lead Riders to 7-2 Win - Frisco RoughRiders
- Eight Straight Wins - Arkansas Travelers
- Riders Hosting SpongeBob-Themed Nickelodeon Night July 28 - Frisco RoughRiders
- Sod Poodles Walk-Off 5-4 in Series Opener against RockHounds - Amarillo Sod Poodles
- Rondon Dazzles But Travs Strike Late for 4-1 Win - Springfield Cardinals
- Streak Hits 7 with Win over Cardinals - Arkansas Travelers
- Blue Ghosts Battle Back with McCormick Walk-Off in Extras - Corpus Christi Hooks
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