The Midland RockHounds defeat edthe Amarillo Sod Poodles 2-1 Thursday night at Momentum Bank Ballpark, according to a Midland RockHounds press release. The team scored twice over the final two innings, including a walk-off RBI single by Euribiel Angeles in the ninth.
The victory ended a four-game losing streak for Midland and snapped a scoreless streak that had reached 28 2/3 innings. The win also moved the RockHounds back within one-half game of first place in the Texas League South Division standings.
Amarillo carried a 1-0 lead into the eighth inning after scoring an unearned run in the fourth. Midland tied the game in the bottom of the eighth when Justin Riemer led off with a single and stole second base. After Angeles advanced the runner with a sacrifice bunt, Carlos Pacheco drove in the tying run with a sacrifice fly to center field.
The RockHounds loaded the bases in the ninth inning with two walks and a hit batter before Angeles delivered a game-winning single to left field.
Amarillo’s Avery Short pitched six scoreless innings, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out five. In two starts against Midland this season, Short has not allowed a run over 11 innings.
Midland starter Corey Avant recorded one of the longest outings of his professional career, pitching eight innings and allowing one unearned run on two hits. The right-hander walked one batter and struck out six.
RockHounds outfielder Cole Conn finished 2-for-4 with two stolen bases, extending his hitting streak to nine games. During the streak, Conn is batting .389 with three doubles, three home runs, six RBIs and six stolen bases.
Midland improved to 25-23 with the win and remained in contention near the top of the Texas League South standings as the first-half race continued.