Miroglio Plates Four In Soddies 8-3 Win

Tuesday, July 27, 2021 vs San Antonio Missions [SD]

Amarillo Sod Poodles (30-42) | San Antonio Missions (35-37)

Amarillo, Texas — The Amarillo Sod Poodles began a six-game series against the San Antonio Missions on Tuesday night at HODGETOWN. The Missions took a 2-0 lead in the third inning but the Sod Poodles scored eight of the final nine runs of the ballgame to take the series opener. With the win, Amarillo improves to 30-42 on the year.

San Antonio's leadoff man doubled to begin the game but was left standing on second base at the end of the inning after Sod Poodles starter Tommy Henry induced a pop up in the infield and back-to-back strikeouts. For Amarillo, outfielders Dominic Fletcher and Stone Garrett each drew a walk with one out as San Antonio's starter Matt Waldron struggled to command his knuckleball. A ground out turned into a double play that ended the bottom of the first.

A walk to the first two batters in the second inning were a non factor as Henry got out of the jam with a strikeout, groundout and fly out. The Soddies were retired in order in their half of the second.

Henry struck out the leadoff man in the top of third for his fourth of the night. It appeared he and the Soddies were going to have a quick frame after picking up the second out via a ground ball. The Missions had instead put together a little rally. A single into center field was followed by a two-run home run as the Missions took a 2-0 lead. A double from 2019 Sod Poodle Kyle Overstreet put another runner into scoring position. Henry added his fifth strikeout of the night to end the Missions threat and keep it at a two-run game.

The Soddies chipped away at that lead in the bottom of the third inning. D-backs No. 4 rated prospect Alek Thomas reached on a fielder's choice and advanced to second base after Fletcher drew his second walk in as many at bats. Garrett singled into right field, easily scoring Thomas. Garrett got into a run down between first and second as Fletcher broke for home. He was thrown out at the plate and the game remained 2-1 in favor of the Missions.

Henry once again walked the first two batters of the inning before a sacrifice bunt moved both into scoring position. However, a strikeout and infield pop up kept the Missions from being able to add to their lead. Amarillo strung together four hits in the bottom of the fourth including three straight with two-outs highlighted by Luis Basabe's double, taking a 4-2 lead after plating three runs in the inning.

After 81 pitches, Henry's night came to an end as he allowed four hits and the two runs with six strikeouts and four walks. Fellow left-hander Tyler Holton replaced Henry on the mound and was met with a leadoff single. He got the next two batters out but a hit batter placed another San Antonio runner on base. A wild pitch advanced both runners but Holton picked up a strikeout to keep both runners stranded.

The Sod Poodles had a two-out rally of their own in the bottom of the fifth inning started by Ryder Jones' single. Buddy Kennedy drew a walk then Dominic Canzone picked up his first Double-A hit in his Double-A debut to load the bases. A strikeout ended any chance of the Soddies adding to their lead in the inning.

Holton retired the first two batters he faced in the top of the sixth before Amarillo called on the bullpen and right-hander Joe Jones, who struck out the first batter he faced.

San Antonio added a solo home run in the top of the seventh to cut the Amarillo lead to one run at 4-3.

Ryder Jones was hit by a pitch and Kennedy drew his second walk of the game in the bottom of the seventh. Canzone picked up his second hit of the night and first RBI with another single into center field. A pop up made it two outs in the inning and brought Dominic Miroglio to the plate. The catcher liked the first pitch he saw and sent it off Bar 352 beyond left field for his fifth home run of the year and helped push the lead to 8-3.

Blake Rogers came on for the top of the ninth and struck out two of the three batters he faced to close out the game and seal the win for Amarillo in the series opener.

The Sod Poodles and Missions continue their series with game two tomorrow night from HODGETOWN. Left-hander Kenny Hernandez (0-1, 4.09 ERA) gets the start against RHP Jordan Humphreys (1-0, 6.32 ERA).

Notes:

Mirollin:Dominic Miroglio picked up his 10th multi-hit performance of the season, leading the Sod Poodles offense with his 3-for-4 night with four RBI and two runs scored. Three of his RBI came off his seventh inning home run, his fifth of the year and first since June 9th here at HODGETOWN versus Corpus Christi. The three hits on the night matched his season-high from his 3-for-5 night on May 15th on the road in Wichita. That performance also included a home run and 2 RBI.

Dom, Dom, Dom:All three Dominic's in the Sod Poodles starting lineup found their way on base in tonight's win. Dominic Canzone made his Double-A debut a memorable one, picking up two hits and a RBI in his debut. Miroglio had his three hits while D-backs' No. 15 rated prospect Dominic Fletcher drew walks in his first two at bats of the game as one of two Soddies with two walks.

Holton His Own:Left-handed pitcher Tyler Holton picked up another scoreless outing out of the bullpen for the Sod Poodles. Holton has yet to surrender a run over four innings in July. The Florida State product began the year in the starting rotation but has since been used out of the bullpen primarily. In his last four games (6.2 innings pitched) he has allowed only three hits and has struck out nine to just one walk allowed.

Hey Buddy:Amarillo infielder Buddy Kennedy tallied another hit, adding to his current hit streak which now sits at eight games. Kennedy went 1-for-2 with a single and two walks, scoring twice for the Sod Poodles. Over his last eight games, Kennedy is hitting .400 (12-for-30) with four extra base hits.

Gettin Risp-y:The Sod Poodles did damage with runners in scoring position in tonight's win, something the team has struggled with throughout the season. Amarillo came into the game hitting .223 with runners in scoring position. Tonight, the team went 6-for-13 (.462) marking the most hits with RISP in a single game since June 9th when they went 12-for-20 against Corpus Christi in the 19-4 win.