'Topes Endure Injuries, Cubs in 10-7 Win
April 14, 2011 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release
Despite losing three players to injury and having to play a pitcher in right field, the Albuquerque Isotopes (5-2) managed to persevere and earn a hard-fought 10-7 win over the Iowa Cubs (2-3) Wednesday night at Isotopes Park. The Topes have now won three in a row against the I-Cubs and will go for a series sweep in Thursday's matinee.
Everything was going fine for Albuquerque until the fourth, when Justin Sellers was hit by a pitch in the right hand, forcing him to leave the game with a contusion. Three batters later, Juan Castro strained his left oblique fouling off a pitch and also had to be removed from the game. J.D. Closser was moved from catcher to third to fill in for Castro, but ended up taking a hard hit grounder to the eye in the seventh, forcing his removal from the game. As a result of the injuries, Albuquerque was forced to play the remainder of the game with Jerry Sands at third, where he had played once prior in his professional career, and starting pitcher Tim Redding in right field.
Luckily for the Isotopes, they were able to stay healthy long enough to build a healthy lead. After Sands and Closser roped back-to-back singles in the bottom of the second, Trayvon Robinson hammered a three-run shot to left center, his second three-run bomb in as many nights, to give the Topes a quick 3-0 lead.
Trent Oeltjen joined the hit-parade in the third, crushing a solo homer that extended the advantage to 4-0 and proved to be a prelude to a huge night for the Australian native.
Iowa plated a pair of runs in the top of the fourth to draw within 4-2, but Albuquerque responded in the bottom of the frame, even amidst the injuries, to take a commanding lead. Closser and Robinson ignited the rally with back-to-back singles to lead off the inning before Sellers was beaned and replaced by pinch-runner Joe Becker to load the bases. Pitcher Francisco Felix, into the game in relief of starter Jon Link, then smashed a two-run single to left, putting the Isotopes on top 6-2. Dee Gordon followed with an RBI fielder's choice to make the score 7-2 before Oeltjen belted a two-run homer deep over the fence in right to give Albuquerque the 9-2 advantage.
The Cubs scored one in the fifth, but even with a two homer night, Oeltjen wasn't finished, adding an RBI single in the sixth to put the Isotopes on top 10-3. The outfielder finished the night with three hits and four RBI to help lead the Albuquerque offensive attack.
Iowa would keep chipping away, plating a run in the seventh, two in the eighth, and one more in the ninth to draw within 10-7, but reliever Roman Colon (1) struck out Chris Robinson with a man on second to end the game and notch his first save of the season.
Felix (1-0) earned the win for the Isotopes in relief after going 2.1 innings in which he allowed one run on two hits while walking one and striking out two. Starter Link didn't figure in the decision, but pitched well for the second time in three days, yielding two runs on five hits in 3.2 innings while walking none and fanning three. Iowa starter Austin Bibens-Dirkx (0-1) suffered the loss, giving up nine runs on nine hits in four innings of work.
Albuquerque will look for its fourth straight win on Thursday behind left-hander Randy Keisler (0-0, 1.80), who will face Cubs right-hander Robert Coello (0-1, 15.75) in an 11:05 AM first pitch from Isotopes Park.
The Isotopes' opening-season homestand wraps up on Thursday with the team's first School Day Matinee / Business Person's Special. 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.
• Discuss this story on the Pacific Coast League message board...
Pacific Coast League Stories from April 14, 2011
- Tucson Padres Come Back To Beat The Salt Lake Bees - Tucson Padres
- Rainiers Fall to Fresno in Extra Innings - Tacoma Rainiers
- Clemens Paces RedHawks For Thursday Win - Oklahoma City Baseball Club
- Sounds Split Series With RedHawks With 6-5 Loss - Nashville Sounds
- Express Cash In For Sweep Of Omaha - Round Rock Express
- Round Rock Sweeps Storm Chasers - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Albuquerque Clipped by Cubs 10-6 - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Zephyrs Sweep Redbirds in Series - Memphis Redbirds
- I-Cubs Top 'Topes, 10-6 - Iowa Cubs
- Colorado Springs Sky Sox Defeat Reno Aces in 18-13 Slugfest - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Gotay HR Gives Z's 5th Consecutive Win - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Aces Drop Series Finale, 18-13, to Sky Sox - Reno Aces
- Round Rock Express Game Notes Vs. Omaha Storm Chasers - Round Rock Express
- Storm Chasers Ready to Entertain at Werner Park Opener - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Tucson Padres Unveil Opening Night Plans - Tucson Padres
- Adopt a Dog and Fetch a Redbirds Ticket - Memphis Redbirds
- 'Topes Endure Injuries, Cubs in 10-7 Win - Albuquerque Isotopes
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
