PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Castellanos, 'Topes Pound Sounds 13-3

Published on July 28, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


Alex Castellanos drove in a season-high five runs and Jerry Sands added four hits as the Albuquerque Isotopes (62-45) erupted for 12 runs over the final four innings to cruise to a 13-3 thrashing of the Nashville Sounds (48-59) Saturday night at Greer Stadium. In addition to his five RBI, Castellanos homered twice to pace the "˜Topes to the blowout win.

Albuquerque spotted the Sounds a pair of runs, one in the first and another in the second, before the Isotopes got on the board courtesy of a solo homer by Sands to lead off the fourth that cut the deficit to 2-1.

The Isotopes grabbed a strangle hold on the contest in the sixth thanks to a five-run frame executed with two outs. After Tim Federowicz led off the inning with a walk, Matt Angle and Ivan De Jesus Jr. added back-to-back singles that loaded the bases. Nashville starter Brian Baker then coaxed a strikeout and flyout and seemed on the cusp of getting out of the inning unscathed until Elian Herrera roped a single to center that scored Federowicz and Angle to give Albuquerque a 3-2 edge. Tim Dillard then came in to relieve Baker and immediately surrendered a three-run shot to Castellanos that helped the "˜Topes extend the lead to 6-2.

Nashville got one run back in the bottom of the sixth to make the score 6-3, but the Isotopes added three more in the seventh. Sands led off the frame with a single to third, then advanced to second when Nashville third baseman Taylor Green threw the ball away. After Sands advanced to third on a groundout, he was knocked by a base hit from Angle, giving Albuquerque a 7-3 lead. Angle then swiped second and scored on a two-out base hit by pinch-hitter Tyler Henson to extend the advantage to 8-3. Trent Oeltjen was then hit by a pitch, moving Henson to second, where he was picked up by an RBI single from Herrera to give the "˜Topes a 9-3 cushion.

At that point the rout was on, as Albuquerque added two more in the eighth on a run-scoring groundout by Federowicz and an RBI double by De Jesus before Castellanos put the exclamation point on the evening in the ninth. With Herrera on first, the "˜Topes third baseman hammered a two-run blast deep over the wall in center to send the Isotopes to a 13-3 triumph. In addition to the season-high five RBI, it was the second two-homer game of the season for Castellanos, who also went deep twice April 21 at Oklahoma City.

Albuquerque's offensive eruption paved the way for "˜Topes ace John Ely (10-7) to record his 10th victory of the season, tying him for the team lead with Will Savage. Ely worked six strong innings, allowing three runs, two earned, on six hits while walking none and striking out four.

The "˜Topes will now play a pair of games against the Sounds on Sunday in a doubleheader consisting to two, seven-inning games beginning at 4:05 PM MT. Lefty Derrick Loop (9-2, 4.18) will get the ball for the Isotopes in game one against Nashville righty Hiram Burgos (No Record), while right-hander Blake Johnson (2-0, 5.79) gets the start in the night-cap for the "˜Topes facing Sounds righty Seth McClung (2-12, 5.76).

Albuquerque returns home next Wednesday for an eight-game homestand that is full of some of the team's most popular promotions, including cowbell night, a live appearance by Birdzerk!, a Dodger Stadium replica giveaway, and a spectacular fireworks show. 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.abqisotopes.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 28, 2012


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