The Aggie-Turned-Sod Poodle Leads Amarillo

Amarillo Sod Poodles 6, RockHounds 3

Sunday, May 23, 2021

HODGETOWN Amarillo, TX

It was a great day for a former Texas A&M Aggie … and a tough (and far too short) afternoon for a former Texas Tech Red Raider Sunday in Amarillo, as the Sod Poodles defeated the RockHounds, 6-3.

A three-run home run off the bat of Mikey Reynolds in the sixth was the decisive swing of the game, breaking a 1-1 tie and providing the final margin of victory. The Amarillo third baseman, a former Aggie, added an insurance run RBI with a single in the eighth, finishing the game 3-for-4 with the homer and four ribbies and added a stolen base (also in the eighth).

Since being selected by the Atlanta Braves in the fifth round of the 2013 draft out of Texas A&M, Reynolds has “covered a lot of ground” in his minor league career, including multiple stops in the independent ranks and traveling as far as Australia to play ball. He was signed as a free agent by the Arizona Diamondbacks just five days before his Sunday afternoon heroics as a new member of the Sod Poodles.

Former Texas Tech Red Raider Ty Damron got the start for the RockHounds but was hit by a line drive in the first inning … ironically, off Reynold’s bat … and left the game after facing just two batters. The line drive struck Ty flush on the left arm.

* Kyle McCann* homered in the sixth for the RockHounds (his first at the Double-A level) with Nick Allen (sac fly) and Tyler Ramirez (single) each driving in a run. Nick and Tyler share the team lead with 13 RBI each and both rank in the top 10 in the Double-A Central.

After Reynolds’ home run put Amarillo up, 4-1, the Sod Poodles never trailed, but the RockHounds had two run-scoring opportunities down the stretch, leaving the bases loaded in the seventh and had the tying run at the plate in the ninth. Amarillo second baseman D.J. Burt made a sensational catch (ESPN-worthy) on Jonah Bride’s fly ball in foul territory to end the game.

With the win, Amarillo gained a split of the six-game series after the RockHounds had won games three, four and five.

Kibbles & Bits

The “unsung hero” award of the day goes to RockHounds reliever Austin Briggs. The lefty was summoned from the bullpen just two batters into the contest when Ty Damron was forced, by injury, to leave the game. Austin went three-and-two-thirds innings, which spared what could have been “long day” for the ‘pen. He allowed one run on three hits with no walks and two strikeouts.

Up Next: The ‘Hounds Are Back at Rocky Town!

After the league-wide off day Monday, the RockHounds return home Tuesday evening (May 25) to open a 12-game homestand!

The ‘Hounds will host division rivals the Frisco RoughRiders (May 25-30) and the Corpus Christi Hooks (June 1-6) at Momentum Bank Ballpark. The homestand includes two Thirsty Thursdays, two Saturday night fireworks shows, the first Matamoscas Night of the season, Kids Jersey night … and more.