Amarillo Walked Off By San Antonio In Game Two

San Antonio, Texas (May 24, 2023) – The Amarillo Sod Poodles suffered a 4-3 walk off loss to the San Antonio Missions on Wednesday night at Nelson Wolff Stadium.

For the second time in as many games, Ryan Bliss led off the contest with a hit. This time, he was brought home on Caleb Roberts' RBI single as Amarillo jumped out to an early lead. The Missions threatened in part to a hit batter and wild pitch to put a runner into scoring position without an out in the bottom of the first. Sod Poodles starter Jeff Bain then proceeded to get the next three batters out to strand the leadoff batter on third.

After seeing San Antonio tie the game in the bottom of the second inning, Seth Beer quickly regained the Amarillo advantage. Beer slugged his first home run in an Amarillo uniform, jumping on the first pitch of the fourth inning to give the Sod Poodles a 2-1 lead. The Sod Poodles added another run in the top of the sixth thanks to three walks and a wild pitch to make it a 3-1 game.

Bain worked through the fifth inning, surrendering five hits and just the one earned run. The right-hander was relieved by fellow righty Jackson Goddard for the bottom of the sixth inning. He worked a clean frame out of the bullpen, striking out one to end the home half of the sixth.

San Antonio drew within one of the lead, adding a run after the first two batters of the bottom of the seventh reached without a hit. A walk and catcher's interference followed by a balk moved both into scoring position. A tapper that Deyvison De Los Santos was unable to barehand and get a throw off was enough for an infield single and RBI. Left-hander Andrew Saalfrank replaced Goddard and left both inherited runners on base as he collected a strikeout and groundout to get out of the seventh without any more damage done.

The lefty Saalfrank tacked on a pair of strikeouts in the bottom of the eighth to hold the Missions at bay. A single off the bat of Juan Centeno was the one hit Amarillo would get in the top of the ninth with Bliss grounding into an inning-ending double play as Amarillo clung to a 3-2 lead.

The Missions greeted Christian Montes De Oca with consecutive singles to begin the bottom of the ninth. A passed ball moved both into scoring position, with the lead runner serving as the tying run. After loading the bases on an intentional walk with first base open, a sac fly to deep right field was enough to push the tying run across and move the then go-ahead run to third base. Another deep fly ball proved to be the game-winner as Amarillo was walked off for just the second time this season.

The series continues with game three tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. RHP Luke Albright will toe the rubber for Amarillo as the team looks to earn their first win of the series at Nelson Wolff Stadium.

NOTES:

ALL ABOARD THE BAIN TRAIN: In his second start of the year, Jeff Bain turned in an impressive 5.0 IP, allowing just one earned run on five hits with one strikeout. He did not earn a decision, keeping him at 2-0 on the season with a 6.61 ERA in 12 total appearances. The California native has been especially impressive against the Missions so far in his career. In 11 total appearances dating back to the 2021 season, Bain holds a record of 3-0 with a 5.37 ERA against San Antonio.

WHEN THE JERSEYS ARE BLUE: In his second game since being added to the Amarillo roster, Seth Beer launched his first homer in Amarillo threads. Beer jumped on the very first pitch he saw in the top of the fourth inning for his first homer since his last game with Triple-A Reno back on April 30 vs. Sugar Land. Since being selected by the Houston Astros 28th overall in the 2018 MLB Draft out of Clemson, Beer now has 7l homers in 400 games played in the minors.

SAAL-ISBURY STREAK:Reliever Andrew Saalfrank worked 1.2 IP without a hit allowed, striking out three of the five batters he was asked to face. Saalfrank now carries a streak of six straight games without an earned run allowed dating back to May 7. Over the span, Saalfrank has worked 8.2 IP while only allowing three hits and striking out 13 to just three walks. It's tied for the 10th best streak in the Texas League this season overall and tied for the third-longest active streak in the Texas League.

REMEMBER ME?: Juan Centeno picked up a pair of hits, going 2-for-4 on Wednesday night. In 18 games against San Antonio last season, Centeno hit .343 (24-for-70) with six doubles, a triple, six homers,15 RBI, and had nine multi-hit games.