TL Amarillo Sod Poodles

Tawa's Grand Performance Secures Series Split

Published on July 9, 2023 under Texas League (TL)
Amarillo Sod Poodles News Release


Springfield, MO. - The Amarillo Sod Poodles rattled off nine runs to secure their third straight win and a series split in Springfield before the All-Star break. The offense was propelled by a pair of big innings, including the first grand slam of Tim Tawa's professional career.

The Cardinals jumped out to a three-run advantage in the bottom of the second before Amarillo responded with the first of their two big innings at the plate. Kevin Vicuña doubled with one out in the top of the third prior to consecutive two-out walks loading the bases for the Sod Poodles. The third straight walk of the inning scored Amarillo's first run of the game and sent Tawa to the plate. After sitting on a pair of fastballs, Tawa mashed an offspeed pitch to left field for a 5-3 lead.

Three straight two-out singles in the bottom of the fourth inning brought Springfield within a run of the Amarillo advantage at 5-4.

The Sod Poodles once again walked their way to scoring chances in the top of the fifth. Camden Duzenack was plunked to start the frame and then followed aboard with a walk. A.J. Vukovich doubled home Duzenack and put runners on second and third with nobody out. Seth Beer drew his second walk in as many plate appearances too load the bases once again for Amarillo. The second RBI walk of the game extended the Sod Poodles lead to 7-4. A dropped third strike and catcher's interference helped to score the next two runs of the game.

A Cardinals two-run home run cut the lead to three runs after the bottom of the sixth inning.

Chad Patrick worked 4.0 IP with seven hits, four runs, and four strikeouts in the starting role for Amarillo on Sunday. Four relievers combined to work five innings, allowing just two earned runs with six strikeouts and three walks. Gerald Ogando was the first man called upon and was credited with the win after pitching a scoreless fifth inning with two strikeouts to his credit. Connor Grammes struck out the side in his lone inning of labor with Christian Montes De Oca and Raffi Vizcaino combining to shut the door on the Cardinals over the final three innings with a combined two hits.

Amarillo now enters the All-Star break at 42-39 and 8-4 in the second half which is tied for first place in the Texas League South. Amarillo will return to action at HODGETOWN next Friday, July 14 when the Frisco RoughRiders come to town for a three-game series, the first of nine-straight games at HODGETOWN for the longest homestand of the 2023 season.

NOTES:

TAWA BUNGA: Tim Tawa launched his 13th home run of the season which also happened to be the first grand slam of his professional career. The former Stanford Cardinal has already set new long-ball milestones earlier in the season with his first multi-HR game last Thursday against Tulsa. Tawa now ranks second on the team in home runs and tied for second in RBI (47) through 66 games played. Playing in five games during the series, Tawa hit .333 (6-for-18) with Sunday's grand slam and five total RBI. He also drew three walks. He was also the only Sod Poodle with a multi-hit effort in the series finale.

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Texas League Stories from July 9, 2023


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