Amarillo Falls to Midland in Series Finale

MIDLAND, Texas - The Amarillo Sod Poodles fell to the Midland RockHounds 4-1 on Wednesday night in the final game of a three-game set at Security Bank Ballpark.

Amarillo starter Jesse Scholtens and Midland starter Logan Verrett matched scoreless frames through the first two innings. 
With one out in the third, Peter Van Gansen broke the scoreless tie with a towering solo shot to right field. Van Gansen's second home run of the season gave the Sod Poodles a 1-0 lead. 
The score stayed that way until the fifth, when the RockHounds scratched a run across against Scholtens to tie things at 1-1. With runners at the corners and one out, Greg Deichmann hit a ground ball that second baseman Owen Miller bobbled for an error as Edwin Diaz scored. 
It was the only tally Scholtens allowed in five innings of work. He allowed five hits and struck out five. 
After Andres Muñoz pitched a scoreless sixth, righty David Bednar entered in the seventh. After retiring the first two hitters, Collin Theroux hit a solo home run to left field to give the RockHounds a 2-1 lead. 
In the eighth, Bednar allowed the first two hitters to reach with a walk and a single. After striking out a pair, Bednar induced a medium range fly ball to left centerfield from Kevin Merrell. The ball fell between left fielder Nate Easley and centerfielder Buddy Reed as two runs scored.
With Midland leading 4-1 in the ninth, righty Kyle Finnegan entered for the save opportunity. Brad Zunica began the inning by reaching on a fielding error by the shortstop Merrill. Luis Torrens then singled to put two runners on-base.
With one out, Edward Olivares reached on a fielder's choice to the left side of the infield to load the bases. Finnegan bounced back to strike out Van Gansen and Easley to finish the ballgame and secure a RockHounds victory. 
The Sod Poodles return home to HODGETOWN for the start of a three-game series against the Corpus Christi Hooks on Thursday night. 
Amarillo sends right-hander T.J. Weir to the mound while Corpus Christi counters with righty J.B. Bukauskas. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. 
The game is aired on 940 AM KIXZ, via streaming platforms, and MiLB TV. Sam Levitt has the play-by-play call.