Sod Poodles Blank RoughRiders 2-0 In Series Finale

Amarillo Sod Poodles pitcher Ronald Bolanos (16) pitches against the Frisco RoughRiders on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2019, at HODGETOWN in Amarillo, Texas. [Photo by John Moore/Amarillo Sod Poodles] (Photo by John Moore)

August 18, 2019

The Sod Poodles shutout the Frisco RoughRiders 2-0 in the series finale in front 6,436 at HODGETOWN. Amarillo starting pitcher Ronald Bolaños was excellent Sunday night in his 11th bid, tossing six quality scoreless innings against Frisco. Bolaños didn't allow a run on just three hits and struck out six batters over 90 pitches in his seventh win of the season.

Amarillo struck first Sunday night. Ivan Castillo singled to deep shortstop and then stole second base. Castillo advanced to third base on an Owen Miller ground out. Hudson Potts then singled up the middle to allow Castillo to score and to give the Sod Poodles the 1-0 lead.

In the fifth inning, the Sod Poodles stretched their lead to 2-0 when newcomer Tyler Benson hit his first career home run to right field.

After Soddies starter Bolaños exited the ballgame, manager Phillip Wellman turned to Sod Poodles arm Nick Kuzia to pitch the seventh and eighth innings. Kuzia tossed one and two-thirds innings where he didn't allow a run on two hits.

The Sod Poodles looked to add an insurance run in the eighth inning. Castillo reached base on an infield hit to third base and then advanced to second base on a wild pitch. Miller followed with a walk to place runners on first and second base. Hudson Potts then flew out to right field but deep enough to allow Castillo to move up to third base. The scoring threat came to an end after Kyle Overstreet grounded into an inning-ending double play.

In the ninth inning, reliever Kazuhisa Makita looked to close out the ballgame for the Soddies. After a Charles Leblanc line out to right field for the first out, Tony Sanchez doubled down the right-field line. Ryan Dorow, representing the tying run for the RoughRiders, would pop out to second base. Then, with two outs, Brendon Davis swung at his second pitch seen and flew out to center field to secure the 2-0 victory for the Sod Poodles.
The Sod Poodles begin a six-game road trip Tuesday in Tulsa as they faceoff with the Drillers. First pitch for game one of the series is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.