Sod Poodles top Cardinals in series opener on Tuesday

July 16, 2019

AMARILLO, Tx. -- The Amarillo Sod Poodles (14-11, 48-45) fended off the Springfield Cardinals (12-13, 42-53) in a 10-4 win to start the three-game set at HODGETOWN on Tuesday night.

DECISIONS:
W: RHP Lake Bachar (6-2)
L: RHP Angel Rondon (4-2)
S: RHP J.C. Cosme (2)

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED:
-The Sod Poodles struck first in the second with a two-run shot from 3B Hudson Potts and a run-scoring error, opening a 3-0 lead early.

-Amarillo added two more in the third when a second Springfield error plated a run, followed by an RBI double from Potts, opening the advantage to 5-0.

-A solo home run from Amarillo SS Owen Miller to start the fifth padded the advantage to 6-0.

-The Cardinals got on the board in the sixth when 3B Yariel Gonzalez delivered a two-run single that plated CF Dylan Carlson and 2B Irving Lopez, shaving the deficit to 6-2.

-Springfield continued chipping away in the seventh with an RBI triple by LF Lars Nootbaar and an RBI groundout from RF Scott Hurst, bringing the Cardinals within two runs, 6-4.

-However, Amarillo tallied four runs in the bottom of the seventh on a controversial inside-the-park grand slam by 1B Kyle Overstreet. The ball appeared to get lodged in the left field corner and LF Lars Nootbaar asked for time, which would have resulted in a ground-rule double. The umpires, however, refused to grant time, allowing all four Sod Poodles to score for the 10-4 lead.

NOTABLES:
-INF Yariel Gonzalez extended his hitting streak to 10 games with his two-run single. He was named on Monday the Texas League Player of the Week for July 8 - 14.

-1B Zach Kirtley went 2x4 with a double and a run, adding a sixth game to his hitting streak.

-SS Rayder Ascanio notched a base hit in a 1x4 night, also increasing his current hitting streak to six games.

WHAT'S ON DECK:
-The Cardinals continue the Texas trip in Amarillo on Wednesday at 7:05pm. Catch all the action live on Jock 98.7 FM and SpringfieldCardinals.com, and tune in for the Harbell's Grill and Sports Bar Pregame Show starting at 7pm.