Amarillo Thunderheads Week in Review, June 8-14, 2015
Week in Review
The Amarillo Thunderheads were swept at home by the surging Sioux City Explorers to start the week, but responded by taking three of four from Can-Am League opponent, the Trois-Rivieres Aigles to finish the week 3-4.
While Amarillo came away empty-handed against Sioux City, all three games they could have won. The Explorers won the first two games in 10 inning, before hanging onto a one-run win in the final game of the series.
Kyle Bellows took the losses in the first two games. The Thunderheads trailed in the first game 4-1 heading into the bottom of the eighth, but scored three to tie it up. The second game was a back-and-forth affair that was tied at three heading into the 1oth. Sioux City plated five in the extra frame to walk away with the 8-3 win.
In the final game, the Explorers jumped out to a 7-0 lead and a 10-5 lead, but each time the Amarillo Thunderheads battled back. Juan Martinez had 3 hits and 3 RBI, but the comeback fell just short, as the home team lost 10-9.
Back-to-back victories against the Canadian foe got the Thunderheads going again. In Game 1 of the series, the club pounded out 16 hits and scored 11 runs in an 11-6 victory. Every hitter in their batting order but one had a hit, and Martinez drove in four. Jason Martin hit his third home run of the season.
In the second game, the Aigles scored a run in the top of the first, but three runs in the first and fourth innings gave Amarillo the 6-1 lead, and they closed it out 6-2. Anthony Figliolia earned his second win of the season with 7 innings of quality work. He allowed 6 hits and 3 earned runs, while striking out 4. Drew Heid had 2 hits and 3 RBI in the victory.
The Aigles responded with a 10-3 win in the third game of the series, but the Thunderheads won the last game of the series, 8-2. Matt Larkins continued his hot start, throwing seven shutout innings for his fourth win of the season. Tyler Urps went 4-4 with a run and 2 RBI, and the top of the lineup went 6-14.
Sioux City 5, Amarillo 4, 10 INN
Sioux City 8, Amarillo 3, 10 INN
Sioux City 10, Amarillo 9
Amarillo 11, Trois-Rivieres 6
Amarillo 6, Trois-Rivieres 3
Trois-Rivieres 10, Amarillo 3
Amarillo 8, Trois-Rivieres 3
Who’s Hot
Matt Larkins is staking the early claim for top pitcher in the American Association. He is clearly making the best case for any pitcher outside of St. Paul. The big right-hander made two starts this week, winning one and getting a no-decision in the other. He is 4-0 this season. In 14.2 innings pitched he gave up 10 hits and 2 walks, while allowing just 2 earned runs.
Transactions
On June 8, the Amarillo Thunderheads traded infielder Zach McPhee to Camden of the Atlantic League and released catcher Chad Bunting.
One day later the club signed RHP Clay Chapman. The righty has appeared in five games since joining the team and is 1-0.
On June 12, the Thunderheads made a couple of moves. RHP/INF Freddy Flores was signed and RHP Chris Bodishbaugh was claimed off waivers from Sioux City. Flores has made one relief appearance and Bodishbaugh was released two days later. To make room the club released infielder Aaron Baker and RHP Charlie Gillies.
On June 14, besides releasing Bodishbaugh, Amarillo signed OF Andy Crowley and RHP Kurt McCune, and placed OF Jason Martin on the disabled list.
By Robert Pannier