Soddies by Morning: Heartbreak at Hodgetown
The ninth inning woes continued in Hodgetown on Tuesday night for the Sod Poodles. In a game with five lead changes, Amarillo took a 9-8 lead into the 9th inning before Gerardo Gutierrez gave up 2 singles, 2 walks and eventually a go ahead sacrifice fly by outfielder Chase Davis, once again putting his fingerprints all over this series. Amarillo has now allowed 12 ninth inning runs in just three games (San Antonio did not have to bat in their two wins last series).
The Sod Poodles’ last shot in the 9th inning saw 25 pitches, and four consecutive full counts, resulting in 2 walks and 2 strikeouts looking, before Springfield reliever Austin Love struck Tommy Troy out swinging to clinch game two for Springfield.
After a 3 error Tuesday night that he probably wishes he could forget Tommy Troy introduced himself properly to the Hodgetown faithful on Wednesday night. Arizona’s #8 Prospect (MLB Pipeline) reached base 4 times including 3 hits: 2 Singles and his solo shot in the 6th inning, the first of his Double-A career. Troy also played well in the field tonight, including taking away a hit from Noah Mendlinger in the top the 6th inning.
Before Troy, designated hitter Kristian Robinson delivered the Sod Poodles first lead of the series, crushing a 3-Run shot off of Springfield reliever Nathanael Herdedia to make it 6-4. Robinson had his best gama of the season so far with a 2 / 5 night and a stolen base. Troy and Robinson were just 2 of 5 Sod Poodles that had multiple hits on a night that saw 27 total hits between the two clubs. The Sod Poodles showed great patience all night drawing 8 walks against the Cardinal’s staff, with 7 different batters trotting to first. Even when they were not walking they were working counts, like in the 31 pitch 2nd inning that included 3 counts of at least 8 pitches against Springfield Starter Brycen Mautz.
Both starters made their Double-A debut with Mautz tossed 3 innings, of 3 hit, 3 runs, 3 earned runs, 4 strikeouts, and 3 walks on 77 pitches. Amarillo Starter Jose Cabrera got into some trouble early as Springfield struck first with a 2-Run first inning that saw Cardinals #1 prospect JJ Wetherholt pick up his first Double-A hit, going 3 / 5 on the night. After the 1st inning Cabrera would put togther a solid outing, allowing 3 runs on 6 hits, 4 runs, 4 earned runs, 2 walks, and 3 strikeouts on 82 pitches (55 strikes).
Amarillo will once again try to win their first home game tomorrow at 7:05 PM
Today’s Pitching Matchup:
Springfield – Left Handed Pitcher Ixan Henderson #21
Once an 8th Round Pick for St. Louis in 2023, Henderson’s 2024 was a great one. The left hander out of Fresno St., where he was teammates with the Sod Poodles Tuesday night starter Roman Angelo, put up a 2.34 ERA with 105 strikeouts in 104.0 innings (17 starts) between A and High-A. He didnt give up the long much in 2025, only allowing 5 the entire season.
Amarillo – Dylan Ray Â
Ray is making his second start of the season for Amarillo after pitching opening day. Ray went 3.1 innings against the Missions, surrendering 5 runs, 4 earned runs, 4 strikeouts, and one walk. After only allowing 1 run in 3 innings, the sprinklers turned on at the Wolff slightly delaying the game, and after the Missions would charge 3 more in the 4th. Seemingly taking away any momentum that the starter had
Player To Watch
Chase Davis
What hasn’t this guy done this series? Davis is now 5/9 in the series, with 4 extra basehits (2 HR and 2 2B). The Cardinals #10 prospect has reached base 7 times in 12 plate apperances, while also playing a tremendous center field. His go ahead sacrifice fly was the second time in two nights that Davis gave Springfield leads that they wouldn’t give up.
