Sod Poodles close first half of season with high-scoring loss to Midland

The first half of the 2026 season came to an end Sunday night at HODGETOWN as the Amarillo Sod Poodles fell to the Midland RockHounds, 14-8. Despite the setback, Amarillo enters the second half of the campaign with momentum after claiming five of six games in the series and improving to 36-32 on the year.

Looking to complete the franchise’s first-ever six-game home sweep, the Sod Poodles handed the ball to Junior Sanchez. The right-hander navigated early trouble in the opening inning, striking out two batters to strand runners and keep Midland off the board. He followed with an efficient second frame, retiring the side while facing the minimum.

Amarillo struck first in the bottom of the second when catcher Alberto Barriga launched a leadoff home run to left-center field. The blast sparked a four-run inning as Junior Franco and Anderdson Rojas each delivered RBI singles, while another run crossed on a wild pitch to give the Sod Poodles a commanding early advantage.

The lead proved short-lived.

Midland erupted for five runs in the third inning, powered by a pair of two-run home runs from Leo De Vries and Devin Taylor. Euribiel Angeles added a solo shot later in the frame, helping the RockHounds erase the deficit and move in front.

The Sod Poodles threatened to answer immediately in the bottom half, loading the bases with one out, but were unable to capitalize. That missed opportunity loomed large as Midland continued its offensive barrage.

Clark Elliott opened the fourth inning with another home run, and the RockHounds piled on from there. Consecutive RBI doubles and a Bobby Boser homer highlighted a second straight five-run inning, pushing Midland’s advantage into double digits.

The visitors added two more runs in the fifth before Amarillo finally mounted a response in the sixth. Jansel Luis delivered the biggest swing of the night for the home team, crushing a grand slam over the batter’s eye in center field to cut the deficit in half and briefly inject life into the comeback effort.

Any hopes of a dramatic rally were quickly tempered, however, when Taylor connected for his second home run of the game, restoring Midland’s cushion and maintaining control of the contest.

Amarillo’s final run came in the bottom of the ninth on an RBI double down the left-field line by Jesus Valdez, but the late tally was not enough to overcome Midland’s relentless offensive attack.

The loss capped a wild finale to the first half, but the bigger picture remains encouraging for Amarillo. The Sod Poodles finished the series with five victories in six games against Midland and now head into the second half of the season with a clean slate and plenty of confidence after one of their strongest stretches of baseball this year.