The Amarillo Sod Poodles were victorious Sunday, defeating the Naturals by a final score of 7-0 in front of an 18th consecutive sellout crowd of 6,674 at HODGETOWN to mark the franchise's 50th win of the inaugural season. Soddies starter Lake Bachar was brilliant Sunday in his 15th start, matching a career-best seven and two-third innings while also tying for a career-high nine strikeouts. Bachar didn't allow a run on his four singles surrendered in his seventh victory of the season.
Sod Poodles infielder Ivan Castillo extended his 18-game hit streak in the third inning of Sunday's game on an infield single to third base. He finished his night going 2-for-4 with his team-leading 23rd double and two RBI.
Amarillo struck first Sunday as they plated two runs in the third inning to take the early 2-0 lead. After a pair of singles by Taylor Kohlwey and Castillo, outfielder Edward Olivares worked a walk to load the bases for Hudson Potts. Potts then singled through the hole in between shortstop and third base scoring Kohlwey and Castillo.
In the fifth inning, Olivares belted his sixteenth home run of the season to straightaway center field to extend the Sod Poodles lead to 3-0.
The Sod Poodles blew the ballgame open in the seventh inning as they plated four runs on three hits to stretch their lead to 7-0. Kohlwey walked after an eight-pitch at-bat. One batter later Rodrigo Orozco singled to right-center field advancing Kohlwey to second base. Castillo then roped a two-RBI double to left-center field. Olivares then was hit by a pitch followed by a Potts walk to load the bases. Brad Zunica hit a broken-bat single to center field scoring Castillo and Olivares.
Amarillo starter Bachar exited the ballgame after tossing seven and two-thirds quality innings. Evan Miller followed out of the bullpen to finish the game for the Soddies. Miller tossed one and one-third shutout frames, allowing two hits.
The Sod Poodles will look for a series victory Monday night against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals at HODGETOWN. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
-Amarillo Sod Poodles
