
Sod Poodles Walk-Off for Second Consecutive Night with Zunica's Two-Out Blast
May 25, 2019 - Texas League (TL1)
Amarillo Sod Poodles News Release
AMARILLO, Texas - The Amarillo Sod Poodles walked-off on the Midland RockHounds for a second consecutive night in front of 6,494 fans at HODGETOWN courtesy of Brad Zunica's two-out, two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning, sealing the 10-8 victory. It marked the Sod Poodles third consecutive win.
Zunica completed his offensive tear going three-for-four with his team-leading 10th home run, two doubles, two RBIs, one walk, and three runs scored.
In his first start since being optioned by the San Diego Padres, Nick Margevicius spanned a planned two innings while allowing one run on a solo home run, one walk and collecting one strikeout. Right-hander Jesse Scholtens followed Margevicius and a solid four and one-third inning outing while allowing two runs on six hits with one walk allowed and six strikeouts, getting the no-decision.
Relievers Travis Radke, Blake Rogers, David Bednar, and Kazuhisa Makita combined for two and two-thirds innings. Makita picked up his second win of 2019 following his two-out appearance in the top of the ninth to keep the game tied.
After a scoreless first frame on each side, Midland started things off in the second when Collin Theroux hit a solo home run to left field, making it a 1-0 contest.
In the bottom half, Hudson Potts struck a one-out double to start the momentum. Following a line-out by Zunica, Webster Rivas connected with a single to bring Potts around and tie the game at one apiece.
In the third, Amarillo took the 2-1 lead when last night's hero Owen Miller slugged his fourth home run - a solo shot to deep left-center field.
For a third consecutive inning, the Sod Poodles plated a run, extending their lead to 3-1. Zunica led off the frame with a double marking his third in two nights. Behind him, Rivas collected his second RBI of the contest courtesy of his line-drive single just over the reach of Midland's Edwin Diaz at third base.
After a scoreless fifth inning, the RockHounds threatened, getting within a run of Amarillo after a walk and two singles, but a grounder back to Scholtens to turn a double play ended the half to hold the 3-2 advantage.
Midland rallied again in the seventh, plating one run to tie the contest at 3-3 after three singles and a perfectly executed sacrifice bunt would do the job to manufacture the run. With runners on the corners and southpaw reliever Travis Radke into pitch, another clutch groundball double play would keep the game even.
In the bottom of the eighth, the Sod Poodles offense exploded to break the tie and extended out to a five-run lead on three hits, but, in the top of the ninth, the RockHounds rallied right back with five runs of their own on five hits, including Theroux's second home run of the game, and two wild pitches to tie it up at 8-8. A strikeout and groundout would end the inning to keep things even.
In the bottom of the ninth, with two outs and one on, Zunica stepped up and knocked his first pitch high and deep to walk-off the night and complete the 10-8 victory at HODGETOWN.
The Amarillo Sod Poodles and Midland RockHounds will continue their four-game series tomorrow night at HODGETOWN in downtown Amarillo with game three. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. as right-handed pitcher T.J. Weir will take the mound from the Sod Poodles and will face off against the RockHounds righty Brian Howard.
NOTES:
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.
What A Night: Sod Poodles first baseman Brad Zunica hit a two-run walk-off home run Friday to propel Amarillo to their third straight victory. The Sod Poodles first baseman also collected his seventh and eighth doubles of the season Friday evening while totaling two RBI on his 3-for-4 night. It marked his third three-hit game and fourth two-RBI game of 2019.
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.
That's Wild: Brad Zunica is batting .405 (15-for-37) against the Midland RockHounds in ten games this season. Zunica has also recorded nine runs, four doubles, five home runs, 11 RBI, and four 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.
Double-Double: In Brad Zunica's last three games he has belted five doubles and his batting .636 (7-for-11). After his two doubles Friday night he ranks fifth on the Sod Poodles squad with eight doubles on the season.
Win, Win, Win: After their victory over the Midland RockHounds on Friday night the Sod Poodles have matched their season long with three straight wins. Amarillo's last three-game win streak came against the Frisco RoughRiders (5/17 - 5/19).
Oil-Pan Cup: With a game, two victory Friday, the Sod Poodles improve to 5-6 during the season series against the Midland RockHounds over their first 11 games of 2019. After taking a loss in the Amarillo home opener on April 8 by a score of 4-9, they came back with a game two 8-2 victory. The Soddies lost game three and then were swept on the road in Midland. Amarillo and Midland will play each other 20 more times following this series.
Streaking: Ivan Castillo extending his current hit streak to nine games which is the longest in franchise history. During his hit streak, he is batting 14-for-38 (.368), with eight RBI, seven runs, and a home run. Webster Rivas also extended his current hit streak to eight games Friday evening as he went 2-for-3 with a run and two RBI. During his eight-game hit streak Rivas his batting 9-for-31 (.290) with five runs, a double, home run, and nine RBI.
Newcomer: In his first career Double-A start, Nick Margevicius tossed two innings while allowing one run on one hit while striking out one Midland batter. Margevicius started the season with the San Diego Padres where he won two games with the big club.
Game Two: After beating the Midland RockHounds by a final score of 10-8 Friday night the Sod Poodles are now 9-5 in game twos during the 2019 campaign.
Ca(STILL)o RAKIN': Infielder Ivan Castillo has been extraordinary since being added to Amarillo's roster on May 3. In 18 games, Castillo has not batted below .300, currently holding a .342 average (26-for-76) with ten runs, three doubles, two home runs, and ten RBI. He has gone hitless in only two games.
Strong Arms of the League: The Amarillo Sod Poodles pitching staff leads all of the Texas League with 477 strikeouts. Behind the Sod Poodles is Corpus Christi arms with 453.
Swipers Swipin': The Sod Poodles are 30-for-33 in stolen bases in the month of May.
Movin' On Up: Amarillo reliever Andres Munoz was promoted to Triple-A El Paso Tuesday. Munoz appeared in 15 games with the Sod Poodles where he struck out 32 of the 54 batters he faced and only allowed seven hits. Munoz recorded a team-high in saves with four for Amarillo. On May 15, Munoz's fastball touched 104 MPH.
Series Preview: The Sod Poodles continue their seven-game homestand at HODGETOWN Saturday night as they play host to the Midland RockHounds in game three of the four-game set. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. with gates set to open at 6:00 p.m.
Texas League Stories from May 25, 2019
- Theroux Homers Twice in RockHounds Loss - Midland RockHounds
- Frisco Wins Wild Contest in Extras, 10-9 - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Sod Poodles Win Fourth Straight Saturday with Late Comeback over RockHounds - Amarillo Sod Poodles
- Lopes Plays Pivotal Role in 10-9, 10-Inning Win - Frisco RoughRiders
- Tulsa Claims Series with 5-1 Win over Naturals - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Drillers Top Naturals for Sixth Straight Win - Tulsa Drillers
- Cardinals Shut out Travs, 1-0 - Springfield Cardinals
- Cards Halt Travs Streak at 8 with Shutout - Arkansas Travelers
- Sod Poodles Walk-Off for Second Consecutive Night with Zunica's Two-Out Blast - Amarillo Sod Poodles
- Travs Take Friday Night Ballgame, 3-1 - Springfield Cardinals
- Blue Ghosts Downed by Frisco, 7-2 - Corpus Christi Hooks
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