Sod Poodles Tagged For 21 Runs In Loss

Amarillo, Texas – The Amarillo Sod Poodles (48-56) allowed a franchise-record 21 runs to the Springfield Cardinals in a 21-4 loss on Wednesday night. The 17-run loss was the largest margin of defeat suffered in franchise history and Springfield's 21 hits tied the most hit by an Amarillo opponent in franchise history as well.

After they plated four runs in the 1st inning in game one, the Cardinals scored three in the 1st to kick off their scoring on Wednesday. Sod Poodles’ starter Slade Cecconi retired the first two batters on a pop-out and a strikeout, but four singles and a walk made it 3-0 early.

The Cardinals added to their lead with a run in the top of the 2nd. Cecconi picked up his third strikeout to start the inning, but the next batter was hit by a pitch and scored on an RBI double.

Amarillo matched Springfield’s early offense with three runs in the bottom of the 3rd. The first six Sod Poodles were retired to start the game, but Roby Enriquez led off the 3rd with a walk and Nick Dalesandro followed him with a double to put two in scoring position. Ti’Quan Forbes, Jorge Barrosa, and Tristin English then knocked back-to-back-to-back RBI singles to make it 4-3, but a strikeout and a double play ended the inning with runners on.

RHP Brent Teller relieved Cecconi in the 4th, ending the starter’s night at 3.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, BB, and 4 K. Teller issued a walk in a scoreless top of the frame as the Sod Poodles went down in order in the bottom.

Springfield extended their lead with a two-run homer in the top of the 5th. It could have been for three runs, but Dalesandro caught a runner trying to steal third the pitch before the home run. The Cardinals followed the bomb with back-to-back singles, ending Teller’s outing. He was relieved by Josh Green with two on and one out. He picked up one out on a fielder’s choice and picked off the runner at first to end the inning.

Amarillo scored in the bottom of the 5th to make it a 6-4 game. Forbes roped a one-out triple to right-center field and scored on an RBI groundout by Barrosa. It was Barrosa’s second RBI of the game and Ti’Quan’s second triple of the season.

The Cardinals broke the game open with 15 runs across the 6th, 7th, and 8th innings.

Green hit the first two batters of the 6th and Springfield scored a run off of back-to-back single. With the bases loaded, 1B Chandler Redmond blasted a grand slam to left field. Green was relieved by Justin Lewis, who escaped the frame with the Soddies trailing, 11-4.

Lewis was tagged for five runs in the 7th after allowing four home runs in the inning. Springfield led it off with a double before a pop-out. The Cardinals then hit back-to-back homers twice in the inning, including Redmond’s third of the game. Lewis and Green each allowed five earned runs as the Soddies fell behind 16-4.

Austin Pope entered for the 8th and allowed five more runs off of two more homers. The inning led off with a walk and a two-run home run, and Redmond cracked his fourth of the game five batters later. It gave Redmond a home run cycle (solo, two-run, three-run, grand slam) in four consecutive at-bats, the most home runs an opponent has ever hit in a single game against Amarillo. It is also believed to be the second home run cycle ever hit in affiliated baseball.

All told, Amarillo allowed 21 runs off of 21 hits, both all-time franchise highs. Four different pitchers allowed at least four earned runs for the Sod Poodles, while five Cardinals had three or more hits.

First pitch for game three is set for tomorrow, Thursday, August 11, with first pitch at 7:05 PM. LHP Blake Walston (3-3, 6.38 ERA) will face off against RHP Edgar Escobar (7-7, 6.65 ERA).

Notes:

Lopsided Line Score: The Sod Poodles tied their franchise record with 21 hits allowed tonight, and set a franchise record with 21 runs allowed. The 17-run loss was also the largest in franchise history, surpassing the 14-run loss suffered earlier this year to the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (20-6, June 28). Amarillo had just six hits of their own and committed one error. It was the third time this season the pitching staff has allowed 21 hits and the first since April 23 vs San Antonio. The Sod Poodles are 0-16 this season when allowing at least 15 hits and are 1-9 in their last 10 games, dating back to June 30.

Hindered By Homers: The Sod Poodles allowed eight home runs tonight, the second-most in a game this season after they allowed nine to Tulsa on May 15. Cardinals’ 1B Chandler Redmond hit four HR in four consecutive at-bats in four consecutive innings, giving him a home run cycle and the most home runs ever hit by a player in a single game against Amarillo. It is believed to be the second HR cycle in affiliated baseball history, with the other coming in 1998 by Tyrone Hornes as a member of the Arkansas Travelers, the then-Double-A affiliate of St. Louis. Redmond's grand slam in the 6th was the the 8th grand slam hit by a Sod Poodles opponent this year. The Cardinals went back-to-back twice in the game and collected 16 runs off the long ball. The Amarillo pitching staff has allowed 205 HR in 104 games this year, the highest total in all of affiliated baseball.

Light In The Dark: 3B Ti'Quan Forbes put together a strong offensive performance tonight, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored, a triple and an RBI. His triple came with one out in the 5th inning, his second three-bagger of the year. He has two hits in back-to-back games dating back to July 7, and is batting .254 with 41 RBI in 81 games as a Sod Poodle this year.