Errors Cost Hounds in Loss to Amarillo

Amarillo Sod Poodles 7, RockHounds 6
Saturday, May 25, 2019
HODGETOWN                      Amarillo, TX    
When Brian Howard took the mound in the last of the sixth inning Saturday night in Amarillo, he had not allowed a hit and the RockHounds held a 6-0 lead over the Sod Poodles. Four pitches later the score was 6-4. It's been "that" kind of road trip for the 'Hounds, who fell, 7-6, dropping their fifth straight game.
For the second consecutive night, both clubs busted loosed with big innings. The RockHounds scored six times in the fifth and the Sod Poodles answered with a five spot in the sixth. And, as has been the case in each of their last four games, the 'Hounds saw their opponent win the game in the late innings (see below). Amarillo tied the score at 6-6 in the seventh and scored what would become the game-winner in the eighth. Making the loss all the more frustrating, the Sod Poodles' last two runs were both unearned thanks to a pair of critical errors.
The RockHounds sent 11 men to the plate in the fifth with Edwin Diaz starting and finishing the scoring. He singled and stole second to light fuse on the rally and his second single of the frame drove in the sixth run. Mikey White had a two-run double and Jonah Heim drove in a pair on the next pitch with a single (Collin Theroux had the other RBI).
Howard's evening unraveled in a span of perhaps three minutes in the sixth. Rodrigo Orozco doubled … Ivan Castillo doubled (RBI) … Edward Oliveras singled (RBI) and Owen Miller ripped a two-run home run … on the first four pitches of the inning. A walk to Luis Torrens brought a call to the bullpen and Amarillo greeted reliever Trey McNutt with back-to-back singles and a sacrifice fly from Webster Rivas, bringing the Sod Poodles to within a run at 6-5.
Kevin Merrell's fielding error in the seventh and Chase Calabuig's errant throw in the eighth set the table for the tying and go-ahead runs. Amarillo tied the game on a fielder's choice in the seventh and Orozco singled to center in the eighth to give the Sod Poodles the lead.
Notable
Frisco won a wild game, 10-9 (10 innings), at Corpus Christi t7 expand its lead in the Texas League South Division. The RoughRiders (26-22) lead the Hooks (24-24) by two-and-a-half-games with Amarillo (23-24) staying three games back and the RockHounds (22-26) now four-and-a-half games back. There are 21 games remaining in the first half pennant race.
The RockHounds are 1-5 on their (seven-game) road trip, with the five losses coming by a total of eight runs. In four of the defeats the winning runs have scored in the eighth or ninth innings.
Mikey White went 2-for-5 with a run, two doubles and two RBI. Mikey, who now shares the Texas League lead in doubles (16) with Tulsa's Gabriel Cancel, has reached base in 22-of-his-last-23 games (.278) and is hitting .317 (eight doubles, 10 RBI) in his last 15 games.
Dairon Blanco (after a postgame scoring change, and a correct one for sure) posted the second four-hit game of his career as an Oakland A's farmhand, going 4-for-5.   He has hits in four straight games (9-15, .600) with a triple, two home runs and four RBI. Dairon has also reached base safely in 17-of-19 games (.264).
Chase Calabuig went hitless for the second straight game (0-for-3) but reached base twice (walk, hit by pitch) extending his on-base streak to 16 games (correcting streak and stats). Chase, who is hitting .267 (.392 on-base percentage) in the 16-gamer, has been on base in 29-of-31 games overall (games with at least one plate appearance). He is hitting .320 (8-for-25) in his last eight games with a .500 OBP.
Jonah Heim went 2-for-5, scoring one run and driving in two. He has hits in five straight, going 8-for-18 (.375) with a double, two home runs and eight RBI. After an "oh-fer" on opening night, Jonah has reached base in 31-of-35 games since and is hitting .302 in the 35 games.
Edwin Diaz went 3-for-3 and reached base in all four trips (hit by pitch in the second) with a run, a ribbie, a stolen base, and a brilliant defensive play at third in which he turned a potential RBI double into a 5-3 double play.
Next Game
Sunday, May 26          vs. Amarillo Sod Poodles
HODGETOWN           Amarillo, Texas
First pitch 1:05 p.m.   
- Final of a four-game series and fifth of a seven-game road trip
- Radio: NewsTalk 550 with Bob Hards ... airtime 1:00 p.m.
Probable Starters
AMA:                    Lake Bachar        (RH,    0-2, 4.35)
RH: Kyle Friedrichs (RH,    0-1, 4.50)        
Next at Security Bank Ballpark
The RockHounds open a six-game homestand on Tuesday, May 28
May 28-30 vs. Corpus Christi Hooks
May 31-June 2            vs. Amarillo Sod Poodles