In just his seventh game as an Isotope, Brett Harper delivered six RBI, including two home runs, the second of which established a new franchise hits record as the Albuquerque Isotopes (53-46) rocked 24 hits in a 16-8 pummeling of the Iowa Cubs (51-48) in the series-opener Friday night at Isotopes Park. The win extends the 'Topes' home win streak to 10 games as Albuquerque has not lost a game at home since exactly one month ago on June 24.Besides the 24 knocks, which eclipsed the previous record of 23 set at Isotopes Park on June 8, 2006, against the Memphis Redbirds, Albuquerque managed to set a new total bases record with 40 and fell just one at-bat shy of overcoming the all-time at-bats mark as well with 45.
The Isotopes entered the bottom of the third trailing 3-1 when Harper knotted the affair at 3-3, sending a first pitch offering over I-Cubs shortstop Aaron Miles' head for a two-run double. Just one batter later, Chin-Lung Hu went yard with a two-run shot to create a 5-3 Albuquerque advantage.
It would only prove to be the beginning, as the 'Topes went on to rack up multiple hits over the next five innings. While Iowa countered to come within 6-4 and 11-8, Albuquerque's offense was relentless.
After Albuquerque captured a 5-3 lead off of I-Cubs starter Mitch Atkins (6-10), the two teams exchanged tallies before the Isotopes launched a blockbuster frame, sending 15 batters to the plate in the bottom of the fifth to come away with an 11-4 lead. With one out and reliever Dwayne Pollok on first via an infield single, seven straight 'Topes reached base. A walk to A.J. Ellis and a single from Dee Brown loaded the bags for Mitch Jones, who unloaded a two-run single putting the Isotopes up 8-4. With Brown and Jones aboard, Harper unleashed a three-run bomb to left-center to cap the scoring at 11-4 Albuquerque. The 'Topes would leave the bases juiced for the second time and ended up with an overall 13 runners left on base, just two short of another franchise record.
The Cubs were quick to respond, however, using two-run roundtrippers from Sam Fuld and Jason Dubois in the top of the sixth to come within 11-8. The blasts wound up to be the end of their scoring as Hyang Nam-Choi entered to retire the final two batters of the inning. Choi (4-1) went 1.2 innings with three strikeouts and combined with Erick Threets and Travis Schlichting to hold Iowa scoreless over the final 3.2 innings.
Meanwhile, Albuquerque's hit parade continued uninterrupted as pinch-hitter Tony Abreu singled in Juan Gonzalez to make the score 12-8 before Ellis cashed in Sergio Garcia and Abreu with a two-run single to center. Sniffing the chance to shatter the hits record, Jones and Harper belted back-to-back solo homers to open the eighth and accomplish the feat while sending the Isotopes cruising to a 16-8 triumph.
Besides Harper's six RBI performance, seven 'Topes collected multiple hits with Jones and Gonzalez leading the attack with four apiece.
Albuquerque will look to win its 11th straight home game tomorrow behind right-hander J.D. Durbin (0-1, 4.50), who will make his Isotopes Park debut against I-Cubs lefty J.R. Mathes (8-5, 4.05) in a 7:05 PM MT start from The Lab.
The Isotopes continue their four-game series against the Iowa Cubs, Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs with a slew of great promotions, including a drawstring backpack giveaway Saturday as well as a return visit by Jake the Diamond Dog. Tickets for any Isotopes game may be purchased at the Isotopes Park Box Office, at Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 1-800-745-3000, or on-line at www.albuquerquebaseball.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
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