Diamondbacks’ minor leaguer backflips to celebrate championship berth

While the Arizona Diamondbacks took another step toward eliminating themselves from the playoffs Friday night, their Double-A affiliate earned a spot in the Texas League Championship, and the celebration is the best part.

Amarillo Sod Poodles reliever Alfred Morillo earned the save in a winner-take-all Game 3 by striking out the final batter of the game and proceeded to toss his glove off and backflip off the mound in celebration.

the immediate backflip emote was more than necessary pic.twitter.com/T3XSNTHi5M

— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) September 19, 2026

The Sod Poodles lost the first game of the series before winning the next two over the Frisco RoughRiders to advance to the Championship Series against the Springfield Cardinals.

Friday was the first game of the series that Morillo pitched in. The 24-year-old right-hander allowed five earned runs in 1.1 innings during his first outing (back in April) against Frisco, but had since allowed just one earned run across five innings against the RoughRiders going into Friday night.

Morillo carries a 5.90 ERA on the season, but has allowed one run across his last six innings pitched, heading into the Texas League Championship Series.

The Sod Poodles will begin the Championship Series against the Cardinals on Sunday in Amarillo before playing Game 2 and Game 3 (if necessary) in Springfield.

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