The Amarillo Sod Poodles never looked back after putting together a three-run opening frame on Tuesday night at Security Bank Ballpark, edging past the Midland RockHounds 5-3 in the middle tilt of a three-game series.
With the victory, the Soddies have won 10 of their last 12 games and aim for a three-game sweep on Wednesday.
Amarillo collected three straight hits to begin the ballgame against Midland starter James Naile. Taylor Trammell began the game with a single and Ivan Castillo followed with a double. Moments later, Edward Olivares delivered a two-run single up the middle to give Amarillo a 2-0 lead. Later in the frame, Luis Torrens drilled a run-scoring double to plate Olivares as the Sod Poodles took a 3-0 advantage.
Meanwhile, righty Ronald Bolaños tossed 5.1 innings of one-run ball. Bolaños allowed just a run in the second inning while striking out eight batters and allowing four hits.
Amarillo took a 5-1 lead with two more tallies in the fifth, including an RBI double from Castillo.
Amarillo's bullpen delivered a solid performance. Kazuhisa Makita tossed 1.1 scoreless frames while Dauris Valdez pitched a scoreless eighth inning.
Evan Miller entered in the ninth. Miller allowed the first two batters to reach base on hits while Tyler Ramirez hit a one hop line drive off Miller, who proceeded to throw the ball away. Two runs scored on the play.
Miller recovered by retiring the next three hitters to end the ballgame and secure Amarillo's win.
The Sod Poodles go for a series sweep of the RockHounds on Wednesday with righty Kyle Lloyd on the mound. Midland counters with righty Matt Milburn. First pitch is at 6:30 p.m.
-Amarillo Sod Poodles
