Nelson Ties Franchise-High With 11 Strikeouts In Loss

Saturday, July 24, 2021 vs Frisco RoughRiders [TEX]

Amarillo Sod Poodles (29-41) | Frisco RoughRiders (43-28)

Amarillo, Texas — The Amarillo Sod Poodles fell behind early before tying the game in the sixth inning. A run by the RoughRiders in the eighth inning proved too much to overcome as the tying run was left stranded on third base in the bottom of the ninth for Amarillo.

For the third time in five games, Frisco scored the first runs of the game on a two-run home run in the top of the first. Tonight's culprit was Rangers No. 11 rated prospect Steele Walker who took the second pitch of his at bat over the right field fence with two outs.

Diamondbacks No. 4 rated prospect Alek Thomas drew a walk to leadoff the Sod Poodles half of the first. He was picked off first base as Amarillo was unable to take advantage of Stone Garrett's two-out single. Sod Poodles starter Ryne Nelson settled in after the home run in the first inning to strike out the next four batters he faced.

After a strikeout to start the bottom of the second inning, Luis Basabe and Dominic Miroglio drew consecutive walks. Osvaldo Abreu roped a ball that was robbed by a leaping shortstop keeping at least one run from scoring as the Soddies still trailed 2-0.

Nelson picked up right where he left off, striking out another two batters in the top of the third inning. He racked up seven through his first three innings pitched after striking out eight in each of his last two starts. The right-hander added to his total, striking out the leadoff man in the top of the fourth. The next two went down in order on a ground out and fly out respectively.

Amarillo catcher Renae Martinez belted the first pitch he saw in his at bat in the bottom of fourth 430 feet over the left-center field wall to cut the Frisco lead in half.

Nelson kept firing strikes, picking up his ninth strikeout in the top of the fifth and then tying his career-high with his 10th to the leadoff man in the sixth as he retired his 15th batter in a row. Nelson set a new career-high and tied franchise-high with his 11th strikeout to end the sixth inning and his night.

Garrett picked up his second single of the night to leadoff the Amarillo sixth inning. Ryder Jones doubled down the right field line with the ball coming to rest under the Frisco bullpen bench. With the Frisco right fielder struggling to pick up the ball, it gave Garrett the necessary time to make it all the way around the bases to tie the game at 2-2.

Right-hander Blake Workman replaced Nelson on the bump for Amarillo and proceeded to retire the first three batters he faced. Amarillo did the same in the bottom of the frame.

The RoughRiders led off the top of the eighth with a single. The runner then advanced to second on a balk prior to Workman getting the next two Frisco hitters out. The Sod Poodles made a pitching change to get a lefty-lety matchup with Mack Lemieux coming on for Amarillo. He walked his first batter, setting up a battle with Rangers' No. 1 rated prospect Josh Jung. A single scored the runner from second, breaking the tie and put the RoughRiders in front 3-2.

Amarillo was retired in order in their half of the eighth, sending Lemieux back to the mound for the top of the ninth. A throwing error put one RoughRider on base. He stole second to get into scoring position but was left stranded after a Lemieux strikeout and ground out.

In the bottom of the ninth, Martinez went down on strikes for the first out of the ninth. Basabe hit a ball to deep center field over the outstretched glove of Walker for a one out triple and became the potential tying run. Miroglio reached on a throwing error following a diving stop that kept Basabe from being able to break for home. The next two batters went down as Amarillo could not score the tying run, falling 3-2.

This six-game series will conclude tomorrow evening with Sunday's finale scheduled for a 6:05 PM first pitch. The first 1,500 fans through the gates will get a Taylor Trammell bobblehead. Tramell hit the go-ahead grand slam in the 2019 Texas League Championship game in the top of the ninth as the Sod Poodles defeated the Tulsa Drillers. Amarillo will send RHP Luis Frias (3-5, 5.70 ERA) to the mound against LHP Cole Ragans (0-0, 13.50 ERA).

Notes:

11 Strikeouts of Christmas: In his second second HODGETOWN start, right-hander Ryne Nelson set a new career-high while also tying an Amarillo franchise high with his 11 strikeout performance. Nelson tied Bryce Jarvis who struck out 11 in his first home game in Double-A back on July 3rd vs. Wichita. Over his last two starts, Nelson has gone 12.0 innings with just six hits allowed and four earned runs while striking out 19 with four walks.

Gave It A Sleigh Ride: Renae Martinez got the Sod Poodles scoring started with his fourth home run of the year. The catcher sent the first pitch in his 4th inning at bat over the left-center field wall as the Soddies cut into the deficit. The ball came off the bat at 103 MPH and travelled 430 ft.

Un-Silent Night: HODGETOWN was rocking for the second straight night with another sold out crowd. Tonight topped last night's attendance with 6,539 people watching the tightly contested ballgame. It is the 6th sell out for Amarillo this season and 46th overall since the HODGETOWN gates opened in 2019.