TL1 Amarillo Sod Poodles

Sod Poodles Never Say Die, Complete Eight-Run Comeback over RockHounds to Win 13-8 and Complete Sweep

May 26, 2019 - Texas League (TL1)
Amarillo Sod Poodles News Release


AMARILLO, Texas - The Amarillo Sod Poodles completed an eight-run, 16-hit comeback in the rain-delayed series finale against the Midland RockHounds in front of 6,840 fans at HODGETOWN to mark their first-ever series sweep and fifth straight win. The 13-8 comeback marked Amarillo's highest deficit overcome in 2019.

Brad Zunica led the squad offensively on Sunday afternoon with his 2-for-5 performance, including his 11th home run, and combined for five RBIs to tie a franchise and career high. One and two batters Rodrigo Orozco and Ivan Castillo combined for four hits and five RBI.

Right-handed reliever Kazuhisa Makita (3-1) notched his second win of the week and third overall with his three and one-third scoreless outing while allowing just two hits. Travis Radke closed the final two innings for Amarillo and allowed a solo hit with two strikeouts.

Midland got the offense started early on with a solo run in the first inning sparked by Dairon Blanco's triple to plate Jonah Heim, who walked.

The RockHounds continued their momentum into the bottom of the second against Amarillo starter Lake Bachar, stretching their lead to 5-0 lead when Greg Deichmann knocked a solo home run and Mikey White lined a two-out, three-run home run out to left field.

In the fourth, Midland added three additional runs supported by three hits and three walks off of Sod Poodles righty Blake Rogers to take a commanding 8-0 lead.

In the bottom half, after going hitless for three innings, Sod Poodles' outfielder Edward Olivares struck a two-out double to break Kyle Friedrichs' perfect-game bid while Owen Miller singled behind him to plate Amarillo's first run to make it an 8-1 contest before the game went into a rain delay.

The game resumed in the fifth inning after a one hour and thirty-nine-minute delay and after a clean top of the fifth, the Sod Poodles turned it on.

Amarillo batted around in the bottom half of the fifth, sending 10 batters to the plate and turned the seven-run deficit into a one-run difference on six hits. After a leadoff single by Hudson Potts and a one-out walk to Taylor Kohlwey, Chris Baker singled to load the bases. Orozco singled to plate one and Castillo's sacrifice fly ball plated the next. Consecutive singles by Olivares and Miller continued the scoring trend while Zunica's two-out double plated the next two to make it an 8-7 ballgame.

In the bottom of the sixth, the explosive Amarillo offense continued. Singles by Webster Rivas, Kohlwey, Orozco, and Castillo would manufacture three more runs for the Sod Poodles to take the late 10-8 advantage.

Then, with two outs, and two on, Zunica slugged a 3-2 pitch to the opposite field and over the left field wall to extend out to a 13-8 lead and that is where the day's scoring would end.

After a scheduled off-day tomorrow, the Amarillo Sod Poodles head to Frisco to begin a three-game series with the first-place RoughRiders. Following the series, the Sod Poodles will head to Midland for three more games before returning back to HODGETOWN on Monday, June 3.

NOTES:

Breakout The Brooms: The Amarillo Sod Poodles completed their four-game sweep of the Midland RockHounds Sunday afternoon with a 13-8 victory. This was the first time Amarillo has swept an opponent in team history.

Rain Is A Good Thing: After a one hour and thirty-nine-minute rain delay, the Sod Poodles came out a recorded 12 runs on 12 hits over two innings (5th/6th), combining for 16 total hits in the game to tie a franchise high. Before the delay, the Sod Poodles only were able to collect one run on two hits.

Two And A Half Back: With their victory over Midland on Sunday afternoon and Frisco/Corpus Christi yet to play on Sunday, the Sod Poodles find themselves two and a half games behind the first place Frisco RoughRiders. The Sod Poodles will travel to Frisco Tuesday to take on the RoughRiders and battle it out for first place in the south division.

Comeback Kids: The Sod Poodles overcame an eight-run deficit Sunday to win by a final score of 13-8. The eight-run comeback was the largest comeback in team history.

Oil-Pan Cup: After four series with their south division rivals the Midland RockHounds the Sod Poodles have taken the season series lead 7-6. Amarillo dropped the first two series but have rebounded and have won the last two series which included a four-game sweep of the RockHounds. The Sod Poodles and RockHounds will play each other 16 more times this season.

Fiver: Sod Poodles first baseman Brad Zunica recorded a five-RBI game Sunday against the Midland RockHounds which included a three-run home run. This was Zunica's second five-RBI game this season with the other coming on April 9 against Midland.

All Offense, All The Time: The Sod Poodles and RockHounds combined for 21 runs Sunday which marks the most runs in a game this season between the Sod Poodles and an opponent. The 13 Sod Poodles runs also marked the most runs in a game in franchise history.

New High: Amarillo recorded 16 hits against the RockHounds Sunday afternoon as they completed their four-game sweep of Midland. The 16 hits tied a team high this season. The other time the Sod Poodles recorded 16 hits were on May 13 against the very same Midland RockHounds.

Five Straight: After their 13-8 victory over the Midland RockHounds Sunday afternoon the Sod Poodles have now won five straight games marking their longest win streak in franchise history.

What A Week: Sod Poodles first baseman Brad Zunica had a spectacular week as he went 11-for-25 (.440) with six doubles, nine RBI, one stolen base, and two home runs one of which was a walk-off on Friday night.

Double-Double: During the Sod Poodles seven-game homestand, Brad Zunica belted six doubles and his batting .562 (9-for-16). After his two-RBI double Sunday afternoon, he ranks fourth on the Sod Poodles squad with nine doubles on the season.

Two Out Hitting: Six of Midland's eight runs came in on two-out hits while eight of Amarillo's 13 runs came in on two-out hits Sunday afternoon.

Dreadful Delayed: During Sunday's game, the Sod Poodles and RockHounds were delayed one hour and thirty-nine minutes due to rain. The longest delay at HODGETOWN came on May 4 when the Sod Poodles and Travelers were delayed two hours and two minutes.

Streaker: Ivan Castillo extended his current hit streak to 11 games Sunday afternoon when he went 1-for-4 with three RBI and a run. During his hit streak, he is batting 16-for-46 (.347), with 12 RBI, nine runs, and a home run.

Ca(STILL)o RAKIN': Infielder Ivan Castillo has been terrific since being added to Amarillo's roster on May 3. In 20 games, Castillo has not batted below .300, currently holding a .333 average (28-for-84) with 12 runs, four doubles, two home runs, and 14 RBI. He has gone hitless in only two games.

Crazy: Brad Zunica is batting .400 (18-for-45) against the Midland RockHounds in 12 games this season. Zunica has also recorded ten runs, five doubles, six home runs, 16 RBI, and five walks. Against the rest of the Texas League the Soddies first baseman is batting .186 (19-for-102) in 30 games with four doubles, five home runs 13 RBI, and 15 walks.

Punch Outs: The Amarillo Sod Poodles pitching staff leads all of the Texas League with 494 strikeouts.

Swipers Swipin': The Sod Poodles are 32-for-35 in stolen bases in the month of May.

WALK-OFF: The Sod Poodles walked off for the second time in as many nights against the Midland RockHounds Friday. This was the third walk off of the season with all three coming at HODGETOWN. The first walk-off win as a franchise came on May 3 against Springfield when Hudson Potts delivered an 11th-inning two-run home run to complete the 6-5 comeback win. On Thursday, Owen Miller delivered a one-out single to complete the 5-4 comeback over Midland. Friday Brad Zunica crushed a two-run home run to give the Sod Poodles the 10-8 victory.

Home Robbery: Buddy Reed stole home in the eighth inning of Friday night's contest between the Sod Poodles and RockHounds. The steal was part of a double steal as Rodrigo Orozco stole second base and Reed stole home. The stolen base was the outfielders seventh of the season.

Series Preview: The Sod Poodles will travel to Frisco for a three-game series at Dr. Pepper Ballpark starting Tuesday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. as Major League rehabber Miguel Diaz will take the mound for the Sod Poodles.

Check out the Amarillo Sod Poodles Statistics



Texas League Stories from May 26, 2019


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