Sod Poodles Fall 13-5 To Hooks In Series Finale Sunday Afternoon

POSTGAME NOTES
Sunday, April 14, 2019 vs. Corpus Christi Hooks
Amarillo Sod Poodles (5-6) | Corpus Christi Hooks (4-7)
 
Sod Poodles Fall 13-5 To Hooks In Series Finale Sunday Afternoon
 
AMARILLO, Texas - After three consecutive wins in the series, the Sod Poodles fell 13-5 to the Corpus Christi Hooks in the finale Sunday afternoon at HODGETOWN.
 
For a third consecutive game, Corpus Christi initiated the run scoring, but this time in big fashion. In the top of the second, the Hooks plated five runs on four hits. Joshua Rojas started the half with a double to left-centerfield and the bases quickly became loaded following walks to Chas McCormick and J.J. Matijevic. Lorenzo Quintana singled to right field to plate the first two. Two more singles, one by Stephen Wrenn and one off the bat of Abraham Toro, brought around the additional runs to make it a 5-0 game.
 
The Sod Poodles, who went homerless Saturday night, got back in the long-ball rhythm starting with Jorge Oña's first pitch home run in the bottom of the second inning. Then, in the third, Buddy Reed knocked his team-leading sixth home run of the season on the first pitch to cut the deficit to 5-2.
 
The Hooks came back in the top of the fourth with two runs to increase to a five-run lead sparked by a two-out double by Rojas and triple by McCormick. Then, in the fifth, the Hooks extended even further with three more runs on just two hits, including a leadoff triple by Quintana, and two walks to make it a 10-2 advantage in favor of the visitors.
 
The game went scoreless until the bottom of the seventh when Owen Miller doubled with two outs to plate Nate Easley and Reed, who singled and walked respectively, cutting the deficit to 10-4.
 
However, in the eighth, the hot bats of Corpus Christi continued into the late afternoon, tacking on another three runs on three hits.
 
In the bottom half of the eighth, Edward Olivares supported the Sod Poodles' cause with a third home run on the day to make it a final 13-5 score.  
 
The Sod Poodles complete their first homestand with a 4-3 record. The team begins a three-game series in Midland Monday before heading back to HODGETOWN for a final three-game series against Corpus Christi starting Thursday to end the April home stint.
 
 
NOTES
 
Needed a Mulligan: The Hooks tied for a season-high for opponents' runs scored in an inning with five runs in the second inning Sunday afternoon. It marked the third time this season an opponent has reached the feat against Amarillo.
 
In the Rough: Amarillo righty starter Reggie Lawson had a tough second start Sunday afternoon after going just one and one-third innings. He allowed five runs on four hits with four walks and two strikeouts. It marked the shortest outing for a Sod Poodles starting pitcher in 2019.
 
What's the Yardage?: Buddy Reed, Edward Olivares, and Jorge Oña all went deep Sunday afternoon. It marked Oña's third of 2019, Olivares' second and Reed's team-leading sixth home run of the week and season.
 
A Week for the Books: Buddy Reed had a week for the books. The New York native went 10-for-28 (.357) with six home runs, including an inside-the-park home run, 13 RBI, four walks, a stolen base, and nine runs scored.
 
Needed A Cart: Amarillo arms walked a total of 10 batters Sunday afternoon against Corpus Christi to set a new season-high as a team. The previous high as a team was seven (4/10/19 vs. MID).
 
Eagles For The Wrong Side: The Hooks collected two triples in the series finale on Sunday afternoon, both coming in big scoring innings for Corpus Christi.
 
Non-Pitchers Pitching: On Sunday, infielder Chris Baker made his first pitching appearance ever as a professional, tossing a hitless, scoreless inning with one walk, marking the first non-pitcher to pitch for the Sod Poodles in franchise history.
 
First Homestand in the Books: The Sod Poodles completed their inaugural seven-game homestand the week of April 8. The team finished with a 4-3 record (1-2 against Midland, 3-1 against Corpus Christi). HODGETOWN, the home of the Sod Poodles, drew an impressive 41,275 fans from across Amarillo and the Texas Panhandle.
 
First Series Won: The Sod Poodles earned their first series win as a franchise after falling in the first two of the 2019 campaign (@ Corpus Christi, vs. Midland).
 
That's A First: Chris Baker, who appeared in one other game earlier in the homestand as a pinch runner, stepped up to the plate Saturday night for his first Double-A at-bat and came up big for the home squad with his first hit in the fifth inning - an RBI double to tie the game at 1-1.
 
Hudson Heating Up: Padres number 15 prospect Hudson Potts, who was hitless in his last nine at-bats of the series, found a rhythm Saturday after going 2-for-2 with a run and a walk.
 
Call It A Streak: The Sod Poodles are riding their longest win-streak as a franchise with three consecutive wins over the Corpus Christi Hooks.
 
Reed All About It: Buddy Reed hit his sixth home run of the season on Sunday afternoon, taking the team lead in homers. On Thursday night, the centerfielder knocked the first inside-the-park home run at HODGETOWN. On the week, Reed combined for 10-for-28 with six home runs, 13 RBI, and nine runs scored.
 
Welcome to the Club: Peter Van Gansen knocked his first home run of the 2019 season on Friday night at HODGETOWN. The California native collected four total last season with San Antonio.
 
Amarillo Bombers: The Sod Poodles have hit 19 home runs this season in 11 games and lead the Texas League and Double-A overall (2nd - Harrisburg 16). Buddy Reed has collected six home runs while Brad Zunica is good for five total. Jorge Oña has combined for three on the season while Edward Olivares and Owen Miller each have two homers.
 
Long Ball Attack: The Sod Poodles have hit at least one home run in all but two games so far this season.
 
Sod Poodles First Call Up: Pedro Avila became the first Amarillo Sod Poodles player to be called up to the Majors. The 22-year-old right-hander made his first Major League start against Arizona tonight, earning his first Major League win after tossing 5.1 innings, allowing just one earned run on four hits. Avila made one start for Amarillo while in Corpus Christi tossing six innings of two-hit ball.
     
Tomorrow's Preview: The Sod Poodles begin a three-game series in Midland before heading back to HODGETOWN for a final three-game series against Corpus Christi to end the April home stint.