TL1 Amarillo Sod Poodles

Sod Poodles Secure First Win in Team History

Published on April 6, 2019 under Texas League (TL1)
Amarillo Sod Poodles News Release


CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - The Amarillo Sod Poodles won the first game in franchise history on Friday night at Whataburger Field, edging past the Corpus Christi Hooks 7-5 in front of 4,568 fans.

Amarillo orchestrated a five-run third inning against Corpus Christi lefty Brett Adcock (0-1) to get the scoring started. After loading the bases, Luis Torrens hit a two-run double to left field to give the Sod Poodles a 2-0 edge. Moments later, Jorge Oña lofted a soft liner down the right field line to bring in two more runs.

Brad Zunica, who belted a home run on Opening Night, drilled an RBI double to deep centerfield to score Oña as Amarillo jumped out to a 5-0 lead.

Sod Poodles right-hander Jesse Scholtens tossed two scoreless innings to begin his outing before allowing the Hooks to get right back in the game during the bottom of the third. Scholtens walked the leadoff batter and later walked Stephen Wrenn to put two runners aboard.

With two outs, Scholtens induced a pop up to the middle of the infield off the bat of Granden Goetzman. All four infielders converged, but none caught it as the ball dropped in between them. Both runners scored to make it 5-2. Abraham Toro then ripped a two-run double to cut Amarillo's lead to 5-4.

With the score still 5-4, Amarillo's bullpen took over. Blake Rogers (1-0) entered and spun a pair of scoreless frames in the fourth and fifth.

After Trevor Megill pitched a scoreless sixth, the Sod Poodles generated another run with Matthew Batten's one-out triple and an RBI single from Buddy Reed against Corpus Christi righty Carson LaRue, who allowed two runs in five innings out of the Hooks' bullpen.

Amarillo led 6-4 heading to the bottom of the seventh, when Megill allowed a run-scoring sac fly to J.J. Matijevic to make it a 6-5 ballgame.

After Dauris Valdez pitched a scoreless eighth, Zunica's tremendous start continued with a solo home run over the right field fence in the top of the ninth. His second home run in as many nights provided insurance, putting Amarillo ahead 7-5.

Hard throwing right-hander Andres Muñoz entered the game out of the Sod Poodles' bullpen in the ninth, aiming to secure the first win in Amarillo's team history.

With one out, Muñoz hit Osvaldo Duarte. After striking out Ronnie Dawson, he walked Wrenn. With the tying runs on-base, Muñoz bounced back to strike out Matijevic and end the ballgame, picking up his first save of the season.

Amarillo's bullpen provided a combined six innings while allowing just a single run.

The Sod Poodles and Hooks continue their four-game set on Saturday evening at Whataburger Field. First pitch is at 7:15 p.m. Corpus Christi sends right-hander Brandon Bailey to the hill, while Amarillo counters with righty Pedro Avila.

You can hear the game on 940 AM KIXZ or via various streaming options for mobile, tablet, and desktop platforms. Sam Levitt has the play-by-play call.

NOTES

The Zunica Show: Sod Poodles first baseman Brad Zunica has started 2019 on a tear. In the first two games, Zunica is 4-for-7 with two home runs, four RBI, and a walk. He belted 17 home runs and 60 RBI with High-A Lake Elsinore in 2018.

Solid 'Pen: In the first two games of 2019, the Sod Poodles bullpen has allowed just one run in 10 combined innings. In Friday night's win, four pitchers (Rogers, Megill, Valdez, Munoz) combined for six innings of one-run ball while striking out eight.

History in the Making: Friday night's 7-5 win at Whataburger Field marked the first victory in Amarillo Sod Poodles history.

Tomorrow's Preview: The Sod Poodles and Hooks continue their four-game set on Saturday evening at Whataburger Field. First pitch is at 7:15 p.m. Corpus Christi sends right-hander Brandon Bailey to the hill, while Amarillo counters with righty Pedro Avila.

At The Helm: On January 10, the Amarillo Sod Poodles announced that Phillip Wellman would serve as the team's manager for the inaugural 2019 season. This season will be Wellman's fourth season with the San Diego Padres organization, with the previous three seasons managing the San Antonio Missions. Accompanying Wellman will be pitching coach Jimmy Jones, hitting coach, Raul Padron, coach Freddy Flores, athletic trainers Nick Coberly and Drew Garner, and strength & conditioning coach Drew Heithoff.

Run It Back: The Sod Poodles have 11 returning players from the 2018 San Antonio Missions that went to the Texas League Championship last season. Notable players returning are Outfielder Buddy Reed who led the Padres organization in stolen bases last season with 51 swiped bags, Infielder Hudson Potts who belted 19 home runs for the Missions last season, and Right-Handed Pitcher Emmanuel Ramirez who struck out 136 opposing Texas League batters in 2018.

Top 30: The Amarillo Sod Poodles Opening Day roster features seven of the San Diego Padres Top-30 prospects according to MLB.com. (No. 7 Adrian Morejon, No. 15 Hudson Potts, No. 17 Buddy Reed, No. 23 Edward Olivares, No. 24 Andres Munoz, No. 26 Owen Miller, No. 29 Reggie Lawson)

Number One: The San Diego Padres were named the number one farm system by MLB.com for the 2019 season. The Padres have ten players in their organization that were list in MLB.com's top 100 prospects (No.2 Fernando Tatis Jr., SS; No.15 MacKenzie Gore, LHP; No.23 Luis Urias, INF; No.26 Francisco Mejia, C, OF; No.34 Chris Paddack, RHP; No.48 Luis Patino, RHP; No.49 Adrian Morejon, LHP; No.72 Michel Baez, RHP; No.74 Logan Allen, LHP; No.93 Ryan Weathers, LHP).

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Texas League Stories from April 6, 2019


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