Sod Poodles Roar Back in Opener

AMARILLO - The Sod Poodles employed a six-run third inning Thursday night to beat Corpus Christi in come-from-behind fashion, 8-4, before 5,745 fans at Hodgetown.
Amarillo (6-9) ended its four-game losing streak while handing the Hooks their first setback in five contests.

Corpus Christi (7-8) jumped out to a 3-0 lead against T.J. Weir in the third. Stephen Wrenn coaxed a walk and Abraham Toro placed a single into left field, extending his hitting streak to 11 games. Granden Goetzman was next and smoked an automatic double that hopped over the fence in center. Josh Rojas then cashed in with a two-run single, capping the rally.
Rojas is tied for second in the Texas League with 13 RBIs. The Sod Poodles responded by sending 10 men to bat in the home half. Amarillo capitalized on three walks by J.B. Bukauskas, including back-to-back bases-loaded free passes. The home club scratched out four hits with Luis Torrens providing a two-out, two-run single.
Brett Daniels turned in 4 2/3 quality frames for Corpus Christi. Daniels struck out six and walked two. The lone blemish was a two-run dinger by Rodrigo Orozco.
The Hooks pushed across their fourth run in the fifth on a Toro sac fly.
Blake Rogers slammed the door from there by twirling three perfect innings. Tyler Higgins worked a 1-2-3 ninth.
Corpus Christi right-hander Brendan Feldmann struck out two in a perfect eighth.
The three-game series continues Friday night with Brandon Bielak (0-0, 3.00) on the hill for the Hooks. Amarillo turns to Pedro Avila (0-0, 1.50), who made his big-league debut last week for the Padres. First pitch 7:05.