The Sod Poodles dropped the middle game of their three-game series at Arvest Ballpark to Northwest Arkansas 7-3 on Tuesday night, beginning the second half of the 2019 campaign with a defeat.
The Sod Poodles, who secured the Texas League South Division’s First Half title the night prior, got off to a quick start in the first inning. Back-to-back two-out singles from Kyle Overstreet and Edward Olivares set up a double steal with Olivares swiping home plate to give Amarillo a 1-0 lead in the first.
After throwing a scoreless opening frame, Amarillo starter Ronald Bolaños surrendered four runs in the second inning. The damage included a two-run single from Kansas City Royals infielder Hunter Dozier, who continued his rehab assignment Tuesday in the Texas League.
The Naturals scored one more run in the fourth against Bolaños to make it a 5-1 advantage. Two of the five runs charged against Bolaños were unearned.
In the top of the fifth and with Northwest Arkansas starter J.C. Cloney out of the ballgame, the Sod Poodles crept closer with a solo homer from Buddy Reed and an RBI single from Overstreet. Both runs came against right-hander Drew Storen as the Soddies cut the deficit to 5-3.
After tossing a scoreless fifth inning, Sod Poodles reliever Dauris Valdez surrendered two runs in the sixth.
With the Naturals leading 7-3, righty Andres Sotillet entered from Northwest Arkansas’ bullpen and spun three scoreless innings in relief. Grant Gavin ended the ballgame with a scoreless ninth inning.
A bright spot out of Amarillo’s bullpen was righty J.C. Cosme, who fired two-scoreless frames in relief.
The Sod Poodles and Naturals play the rubber game of their three-game series on Wednesday afternoon. First pitch is at 12:05 p.m.
-Amarillo Sod Poodles
Photo by Amarillo Sod Poodles