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Isotopes Fall Just Short 3-2

August 8, 2007 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1) - Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


Nate Field struck out the side in an impressive eighth inning to keep Albuquerque's comeback hopes alive, but the Isotopes (58-59) couldn't capitalize offensively, dropping a 3-2 decision at the hands of the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (60-58) in the series finale Wednesday night at Isotopes Park.

Field's dominant eighth inning kept the ‘Topes within a run with six outs still to go. In the eighth, Albuquerque went down in order with the heart of the order at the plate. In the ninth, though, the Isotopes made a serious threat to challenge the Sky Sox lead with Colorado Springs lefty Mike Gallo on the hill. Brett Carroll fell behind 0-2, but hung tough to draw a lead-off walk to begin the frame. The next batter, second baseman Josh Labandeira, put down a successful sacrifice bunt to push along Carroll to second. Catcher Jason Phillips followed in the order, flying out deep to center field, which allowed Carroll to tag from second and move to third. With the tying run standing just 90 feet away, Eric Reed-who entered the game in the top of the ninth as a defensive replacement-grounded out to the first baseman, ending the threat and the ballgame.

The Isotopes fell behind early, but were never out of striking distance all evening. Albuquerque received a solid outing from starting pitcher Paul Mildren, who left the game with a 2-1 deficit in the fifth. Mildren worked 4.1 frames, allowing two runs on seven hits. The left-hander struck out four and didn't walk a batter. Both runs charged to Mildren's line came via solo home runs-a third-inning blast for Jayson Nix and a fourth-inning shot off the bat of Chris Iannetta.

Ben Julianel (2-2) took the loss out of the bullpen. He cruised for much of his outing, but back-to-back hits in the seventh inning turned into the go-ahead and eventual game-winning run. Julianel worked 2.2 innings, allowing a run on two hits. He walked one and punched out three. Field worked a scoreless eighth and Roy Corcoran tossed a shutout ninth.

The win went to Colorado Springs starter Franklin Morales, who scattered two runs-one earned-on seven hits over 6.2 innings. The hard-throwing lefty walked four and struck out four. Ramon Ramirez dealt 1.1 innings of shutout baseball, and Gallo earned his fifth save with a scoreless ninth.

The ‘Topes trailed 2-0 through 3 ½ innings, but finally broke through in the fourth on a run-scoring single by Carroll. In the sixth, Albuquerque tied the score when John Gall plated the second ‘Topes run after a Scott Seabol double-play groundball.

In the seventh, though, the Sky Sox eliminated the tie on an Omar Quintanilla RBI single up the middle off Julianel.

Albuquerque will now enjoy its final day off of the 2007 regular season on Thursday, before opening a four-game series with the Nashville Sounds on Friday. In the opener, Daniel Barone (7-0, 4.09) takes the ball for the Isotopes. He'll face-off with Sounds left-hander Adam Pettyjohn (9-2, 3.42). First pitch is slated for 6 PM MT at Herschel Greer Stadium.

After a quick, four-day jaunt to Nashville, the Isotopes will return home for a four game series against the Round Rock Express, Triple-A Affiliate of the Houston Astros, on Tuesday, August 14. Tickets can be purchased at Isotopes Park or any Ticketmaster outlet, www.ticketmaster.com, or Ticketmaster by phone 505-883-7800. For more information, visit www.albuquerquebaseball.com or call 505-924-2255.


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