Isotopes Complete Sweep of Iowa
April 7, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release
The Isotopes hit on all cylinders Sunday sweeping the Iowa Cubs with a 7-3 victory in the final game of the opening series. Albuquerque scored 35 runs in the four game set giving the pitching staff more than enough support. Sunday's contest was played in front of 5,668 fans and lasted 2:39.
The red hot 1B Scott Van Slyke continued dominating Iowa pitching, collecting two hits in three at-bats and driving in three. The Albuquerque first baseman also belted his first home run of the season in the sixth inning putting an exclamation on a stellar four game stretch. Van Slyke finished the series hitting .600 (9-for-15) and tallied nine RBI. LF Nick Buss had a coming out party going 4-for-4 at the plate including an eight- inning blast.
The Isotopes pitching collectively held Iowa to one run over eight innings. RHP Javy Guerra was impressive in his start for the Isotopes going four innings deep. He allowed just one hit in his outing, a home run to Ryan Sweeney. Guerra walked two and struck out two.
RHP Angel Castro entered in the fifth inning replacing Guerra and fired 4.2 strong innings striking out four batters in his outing and walking two. He also allowed two hits and two runs coming in the ninth inning as Iowa shortened the deficit to 7-3. Steve Smith entered in the ninth to close out the Albuquerque win. The University of New Mexico alum made his Triple-A debut retiring one of the two batters he faced.
The Isotopes put up a two spot in the bottom of the first inning for the second consecutive night. 2B Alfredo Amezaga (3-for-4) led off the game for the Isotopes with a base hit off of Iowa starter Nick Struck. RF Alex Castellanos (1-for-4) followed with a single setting the table for Van Slyke. Van Slyke promptly doubled (2) to center field scoring Amezaga and Castellanos on the play. Castellanos also swiped his fourth base in as many games in the win.
Iowa RF Ryan Sweeney (2-for-3) cut the Albuquerque two-run lead in half with his first home run of the season to right field. Albuquerque responded the next half inning. Isotope starting pitcher Javy Guerra (1-for-1) displayed some offensive prowess singling home Buss putting the Isotopes back in front by two. Buss doubled to lead off the frame and advanced to third on a groundout prior to Guerra's RBI single. The Isotopes added a run in the sixth, seventh and eighth inning putting the game out of reach for Iowa.
The Isotopes come off of their four game sweep of Iowa to open a four game set at Isotopes Park against the Omaha Storm Chasers, who Albuquerque lost to in the first round of the 2012 postseason. Isotope right-hander Sean White (0-0, 0.00) will make the start against Omaha's RHP Brian Sanches (0-0, 0.00). Catch all of the game action from the first matchup of the year with Omaha on 610 "The Sports Animal with Josh Suchon.
• Discuss this story on the Pacific Coast League message board...
Pacific Coast League Stories from April 7, 2013
- Gray, Choice Lead Cats to 8-4 Win - Sacramento River Cats
- Rainiers Foiled By Fresno, 5-4 - Tacoma Rainiers
- Isotopes Complete Sweep of Iowa - Albuquerque Isotopes
- RedHawks Outlast Memphis 14-10 in Extras - Oklahoma City Baseball Club
- Aces Top Sky Sox 14-1 to Split Series - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Buck, Weber Propel Tucson past Salt Lake 9-1 - Tucson Padres
- Isotopes Complete Sweep of Cubs - Iowa Cubs
- Aces Earn Series Split with 14-1 Win - Reno Aces
- Sounds Fall to Zephyrs, 3-1 - Nashville Sounds
- Zephyrs Defeat Nashville 3-1 - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Round Rock Falls to Omaha, 5-2 - Round Rock Express
- RedHawks Game Notes: April 7, 2013 - Oklahoma City Baseball Club
- Albuquerque Curse Continues for Cubs - Iowa Cubs
- Topes Win Third in a Row Behind Van Slyke, Pen - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Peterson Returns, Cats Lose To 51s, 6-1 - Sacramento River Cats
- Zunino Leads Rainiers Past Fresno, 8-6 - Tacoma Rainiers
- Salt Lake wins over Tucson - Tucson Padres
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.
