Offense Stifled as Amarillo Drops Game Three

Amarillo, Texas (July 20, 2023) – The Amarillo Sod Poodles were held without a run into the bottom of the ninth inning in their 4-1 loss at the hands of the Wichita Wind Surge on Thursday night. The red-hot offense was limited to just five hits, with two coming off the bat of Deyvison De Los Santos.

After walking in the first run of the game, Luke Albright kept three stranded by inducing a weak pop-up to end the top of the first. The Sod Poodles got their leadoff man aboard in the home half of the first but ended up as a three-up, three-down frame with the runner caught trying to steal second. Albright needed just nine pitches to retire the Wind Surge in order in his second inning of work.

Caleb Roberts extended the bottom of the second inning for Amarillo with a two-out single. The Amarillo backstop swiped second base to put himself into scoring position. However, a strikeout meant the game would head to the third inning with Amarillo still chasing a run.

A diving catch by A.J. Vukovich in right field robbed a hit and kept a run off the board as Albright was able to strand a runner on third base as he picked up his third punchout of the game to end Wichita's third inning. Neyfy Castillo drew a leadoff walk and then was able to avoid being doubled off first on a lazy fly ball into right field that appeared to be dropping for a hit. After the miscue, Castillo stole second to place himself in scoring position for the top of the Sod Poodles order. Consecutive strikeouts once again left the would-be tying run in scoring position.

Albright continued to work around traffic on the bases. He kept two stranded in scoring position after collecting his fifth strikeout to end the top of the fourth and keep it a 1-0 Wichita advantage. De Los Santos extended his hitting streak to eight games with a two-out single in the bottom of the fourth but was left on base as Amarillo was unable to crack the scoreboard through four.

Left-hander Jake Rice replaced Albright in the top of the fifth. A leadoff walk was negated after an incredible double play was started by a diving Jordan Lawlar. He flipped the ball from his glove to Duzenack and then over to first to complete the play. Rice kept Wichita off the scoreboard for the fourth straight inning after a single and walk placed two more aboard with two outs.

After Amarillo was retired in order, Raffi Vizcaino was the second reliever used by the Sod Poodles as the team took the field in the sixth. Wichita added their fifth hit of the game but was once again stymied and unable to extend their lead after another sliding catch from Vukovich and a soft ground out. Similar to the first inning, Amarillo got a runner aboard but ended as a 1-2-3 inning with a double play ending a chance to tie the game in the sixth.

The Wind Surge tacked on the second run of the game with a one-out solo home run that clanked off the top of Bar 352. After the bats were retired in order in the bottom of the inning, Austin Pope headed to the mound. A bunt single and two-run home run extended Wichita's lead to 4-0 before the inning came to an end on a caught stealing. Another leadoff man to get on base for Amarillo was unable to provide the Sod Poodles' first run of the game as the bottom of the eighth came to a close.

Christian Montes De Oca came on for the top of the ninth and was met with a single from the first man he faced. A pop-out and strikeout provided Montes De Oca the first two outs of the half-inning. A lineout sent the Sod Poodles to the bottom of the ninth needing at least four runs.

After a ball up and in sent Lawlar to the deck and out of the game, Kevin Vicuña walked to the plate inheriting a full count. A ball sent to the right-center field gap was misplayed and allowed Vicuña to end up on second base. Vukovich moved him to third on a productive ground out. A two-out RBI single off the bat of De Los Santos plated Amarillo's first run of the game and put the potential tying run on deck. A groundout ended the night as Amarillo dropped game three - and their first of the week.

The series continues with Christmas in July at the ballpark on Friday night as the Sod Poodles look to bounce back. RHP Jamison Hill (4-4, 4.89 ERA) toes the rubber for the Sod Poodles and will be countered by the Minnesota Twins' no. 4-rated prospect in RHP Marco Raya (0-0, 3.18 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at HODGETOWN.

NOTES:

THE LAW OFFICE OF JORDAN AND HITS: Diamondbacks' top-rated prospect made it 27 of his last 32 games with a hit after going 1-for-3 on Thursday night. He also flashed the leather, starting a magnificent double play in the top of the fifth. Lawlar is hitting .316 over his last 32 games and .351 (13-for-37) in the month of July.

DE LOS SANTOS POR OCHO: Fourth-rated D-backs' prospect extended his hit streak to eight games, turning in a 2-for-4 night at the plate on Thursday. It was his sixth multi-hit game during his eight-game stretch where he is hitting .412 (14-for-34) with two home runs and eight RBI.

UNFAMILIAR TERRITORY: Thursday marked just the 16th time in 87 this year that Amarillo was held to five or fewer hits and just the third time since the start of June. It was also just the fifth time that it has happened here at HODGETOWN. In comparison, Amarillo pitchers have held the opposition to five or fewer hits 20 times, including twice in the last five games. It was also just the 10th time that Amarillo was held to 1 run or less in 2023 and the first time since May 27th on the road in San Antonio. It was also only the fourth time Amarillo was held to a run or less at HODGETOWN this season.

EVERY DAY IS DUZEDAY: Camden Duzenack has recorded a hit in 15 of the 17 games he has played at home this year after recording a leadoff single to start the game. In his 17 games, the Melissa, Texas native is hitting .410 (25-for-61) with eight extra-base hits and 12 RBI at HODGETOWN.