Alexander Plates 3, Sod Poodles Win 4-2

July 7, 2022 – Texas League (TL) – Amarillo Sod Poodles News Release

Wichita, KS – The Amarillo Sod Poodles evened their series against the Wichita Wind Surge with a 4-2 win on Wednesday night at Riverfront Stadium. A productive night at the plate for D-backs’ No. 23 rated prospect Blaze Alexander and shutdown pitching lifted Soddies to win.

Alexander got the scoring started with a two-out RBI single in the top of the first inning. After seeing Tristin English single and Leandro Cedeño walk, both were in danger of being left stranded following a strikeout by Roby Enriquez. Alexander striped the 1-1 pitch down the first-base line, scoring English easily before Blaze was caught trying to stretch his single into a double. The one-run lead was quickly evaporated in the bottom of the first.

Right-hander Bryce Jarvis made his first start since June 21. The former first-rounder surrendered consecutive singles ahead of a walk to load the bases. The tying run came around to score but the go-ahead run was thrown out at the plate thanks to the relay team of English, Ti’Quan Forbes, and Juan Centeno. The Wind Surge threat came to an end on Jarvis’ first strikeout of the night. Wichita loaded the bases again in the bottom of the second with another two singles and a walk issued by Jarvis. The Arizona Diamondbacks No. 6 rated prospect once again used a line out and strikeout to end the threat and keep the game tied headed to the third inning.

Sod Poodles outfielder Roby Enriquez continued to swing a hot bat after hitting .385 a week ago. The Puerto Rico native picked up RBI No. 21 on the year, scoring English once again with two outs as Amarillo regained a one-run advantage. Like the Soddies in the half-inning before, Wichita used a two-out mini-rally to tie the game. A single, stolen base, passed ball, and double tied the game at 2-2.

The score remained that way into the top of the sixth thanks so some great relief work from Kenny Hernandez. The lefty was the first man out of the Amarillo bullpen on Wednesday night. It was his first relief appearance for the Sod Poodles since April 13 in Tulsa. He responded to his new role by spinning 3.1 scoreless innings where he surrendered just four hits and struck out four without a walk issued. It was just his second scoreless appearance this year donning an Amarillo uniform.

The 2-2 deadlock was broken in the top of the sixth inning. Enriquez smacked his seventh double and was able to trot home when Alexander belted his…