Late Rally Not Enough As Sod Poodles Fall 5-4 in Midland 

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

Amarillo Sod Poodles (ARI) (26-33) | Midland RockHounds (OAK) (31-30)

Midland, Texas — Amarillo took their first trip of the season to face their rivals in Midland. The Sod Poodles scored the first two runs of the ballgame before seeing the Hounds make a late run to steal game one of this series 5-4 on Tuesday night.

The Sod Poodles jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning. Renae Martinez drew a one out walk before swiping his first base of the year to put himself into scoring position. Luis Basabe singled into right field to score Martinez and give the Soddies a 1-0 lead.

Alek Thomas extended his team lead with his 13th double of the season as he led off the top of the third inning. Amarillo was not able to capitalize as the next two batters were retired before a walk placed another runner on base. A fly ball into right field ended the top of the inning and kept the game at 1-0.

Martinez also hit a leadoff double in the top of the fourth. Basabe followed him aboard after an error by the Hounds' second baseman to give the Sod Poodles runners on the corners. Martinez crossed the plate for the second time in the ballgame for a 2-0 lead on a fielder's choice to the shortstop. Stone Garrett gave the Sod Poodles a double in three consecutive innings with his one-out rope to left center in the fifth but once again was left stranded on base.

Right-hander Ryne Nelson was cruising through his first four innings, allowing just four hits while striking out six. Nelson came into tonight's start after issuing a career-high seven walks in his last outing against San Antonio. Nelson walked the first batter of this game before settling into a nice groove. Nelson picked up his seventh strikeout of the night to start the home half of the fifth before Midland rattled together three straight hits including a two-RBI double that tied the game. Nelson fired his eighth strikeout of the night before a two-out walk brought an end to his third Double-A start.

Mack Lemieux came on for his 20th game of the year and got a fly out to end the Hounds fifth and kept a pair of runners stranded for Midland. The lefty walked the leadoff man in the bottom of the sixth accompanied with a one out single to put another pair of Hounds on base. Lemieux got the next two batters out to keep the game tied through six.

Jancarlos Cintron dropped a beautiful bunt down the third base line for a leadoff single in the top of the seventh. Thomas then drew a four-pitch walk and the Poodles seemed to be in business with two runners on and nobody out. The Hounds however escaped unscathed, retiring the next three Amarillo batters in order.

Amarillo manager Shawn Roof made another call to the bullpen, this time making the call for righty Blake Workman. He retired Midland in order in his first inning of work. Workman walked the leadoff man in the bottom of the eighth before a double broke the tie and gave the Hounds a one run advantage. Midland added to their lead as the very next batter hit a two-run home run for a 5-2 lead.

A strikeout to start the top of the ninth put Amarillo down to their final two outs. Dominic Fletcher reached on an infield single and advanced to second on a throwing error. Ryder Jones doubled to cut the deficit to two runs with two outs while a Buddy Kennedy single made it a one run game. The rally and comeback bid ended with a ground out to the second baseman to give Midland the win in the opening game of the series.

The action continues tomorrow night with game two scheduled for a 6:30 PM first pitch. RHP Luis Frias (2-4, 5.83) will take the mound for Amarillo against fellow right-hander Brady Feigl (6-3, 4.22 ERA)

Notes:

Hounding Midland: Stone Garrett continues to carry a hot bat against Midland so far this season. Through 12 games played against the Hounds, Garrett is hitting .390 (16-for-41) with three home runs, five doubles, and 11 RBI.

Mack Attack: LHP Mack Lemieux continues his dominant stretch out of the bullpen. Since May 20th, Lemieux has appeared in 16 games and had 14 scoreless outings over 21.0 IP. In this stretch he has 30 strikeouts to just 11 walks with a 1.29 ERA. He has allowed just 13 hits and just four runs while having a 2-0 record and is holding opposing hitters to a mere .176 AVG.

Martinez On The Run: Catcher Renae Martinez swiped his first bag of the season and fourth of his career as he helped manufacture the first run of the ballgame after drawing a walk in the second inning.

Ryne And Shine: D-backs No. 19 rated prospect Ryne Nelson had his best start since being promoted to Double-A tonight. Nelson held the Hounds to two runs while striking out eight over 4.2 innings.

Close Calls: Four of the Sod Poodles last seven losses have come by just one run since the start of the Wichita series at HODGETOW on June 29th.

Quadruple Double: The Sod Poodles have hit at least four doubles in their last two games. Amarillo slugged their way to a win in the series finale in San Antonio with five doubles (12 hits overall) and another four tonight. Thomas hit his team-leading 13th double in the third while Garrett reached double digits in doubles with his 10th of the season.