Soddies Avoid Sweep, Win Finale In Frisco

Frisco, Texas – The Sod Poodles scored in the top of the 9th to secure a 3-2 victory over the Frisco RoughRiders on Sunday night. It was their lone victory in the six-game series and snapped a franchise-long seven-game losing streak.

Amarillo put runners at the corners after a walk and a single in the top of the 1st but couldn’t plate a run. Frisco quickly took advantage in the bottom of the inning and jumped ahead with a two-run home run off of starter Deyni Olivero. The offenses settled down after the early excitement and combined for just two baserunners over the next two innings.

The Sod Poodles halved the lead in the 4th. Leandro Cedeño led off the inning with a double, but the next two Soddies were retired. Nick Dalesandro came through with two outs and scored Cedeño on an RBI single. He stole third to put the tying run 90 feet away, but the inning ended on a groundout.

Olivero dominated after the early home run and retired 12 of the next 14 RoughRiders. He allowed back-to-back singles on the first two pitches of the 5th, but a double play and a groundout erased the threat.

Amarillo tied the game at 2-2 with a run in the top of the 6th. Tristin English doubled to lead off the inning and Cedeño scored him on an RBI single. Eduardo Diaz then doubled to put runners at the corners, but the next three batters were retired after the first three notched a hit. Olivero breezed through the bottom of the inning, going 1-2-3 on six pitches.

The Sod Poodles went down in order in the top of the 7th. Kyle Backhaus entered in relief in the bottom of the inning, ending Olivero’s line at 6.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, ER, 2 BB, and 8 K. Ti’Quan Forbes made a defensive highlight in the frame with a full-extension grab at second base to rob a hit.

Nine Sod Poodles were retired in a row from the 6th to the 8th by Frisco reliever Avery Weems, but the offense came to life and took the lead when he exited in the 9th. Tim Tawa led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Dalesandro. Ti’Quan Forbes then put Amarillo up 3-2 with a line drive RBI single to left-center field.

Blake Rogers came on in the 9th and locked down the save with a 1-2-3 inning. It was his ninth save of the season and his first since July 26.

Amarillo out-hit the RoughRiders 10-3 in tonight’s game, led by two-hit efforts from Forbes, English, and Cedeño. They snapped their seven-game losing streak and evened their second-half record to 16-16 ahead of their upcoming series against the Springfield Cardinals that will begin on Tuesday, August 8 at HODGETOWN.

Notes:

It Was A Good Dey: Sod Poodles starter Deyni Olivero took a no-decision in a quality start on Sunday. He allowed a two-run home run to the second batter of the game but was nearly unhittable after that as he finished with a line of 6.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, ER, 2 BB, and 8 K. It was the right-hander’s fourth quality start of the year and set a new season-high in strikeouts.

Squad Effort: Amarillo only allowed three hits tonight and combined to strike out 10. Deyni Olivero allowed all three in his six-inning start, while Kyle Backhus, Jeff Bain, and Blake Rogers each pitched a scoreless frame. It was the 9th time this season that the arms have allowed five or fewer hits, and the first since June 30.

What A Combo: Jeff Bain and Blake Rogers shut it down in the 8th and 9th tonight to secure the win. Bain earned his team-leading 9th win of the year and Roger’s earned his team-leading 9thsave. It was just the second time this season that the duo has earned the win and save in the same game.

Needed That: 1B Leandro Cedeño led off the 4th with a double to end his 0-for-17 streak at the plate dating back to Tuesday’s 6-2 loss. He homered in that game and did not reach base again until tonight. He turned in a solid effort in the win, going 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI.