Big Hits Power Albuquerque Win
July 22, 2009 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release
ROUND ROCK - Timely hitting and a key error by the Express (43-55) helped Albuquerque (51-46) walk away from a wet Wednesday night at the Dell Diamond with a 5-2 win.
After a 40-minute rain delay, it was Round Rock that benefitted from sloppy play early, as J.R. Towles reached base safely to open the bottom of the fourth inning thanks to a fielding error by Tony Abreu. With Towles on second, Mark Saccomanno walked, and Edwin Maysonet moved the runners over with a sacrifice bunt. Isotopes starter Eric Stults intentionally walked Chris Johnson to load the bases for Reggie Abercrombie, who singled to left field. Dee Brown misplayed the ball, allowing both Towles and Saccomanno to score for a 2-0 Express lead.
Albuquerque closed within one in the top of the fifth inning when a double by Luis Maza scored Stults.
Round Rock lost control of the lead and the game in the seventh inning, and it started when Jovanny Rosario ripped a home run onto the right field berm on a 1-2 pitch from Express reliever Sammy Gervacio, tying the game at 2-2. The Isotopes kept firing from there. With Maza at first and one out in the inning, Brown singled to left field to put runners at first and second. Brett Harper followed suit with a single through the hole at second base, and the ball slipped under Abercrombie's glove in right field, allowing two runs to score.
Albuquerque starter Eric Stults had a solid outing despite not picking up the win, allowing just one earned run on five hits with four strikeouts over six innings pitched.
Express starter Felipe Paulino wasn't quite as effective, throwing 101 pitches in just 4 2/3 innings of work, while allowing one run on four hits and three walks.
Only Abercrombie had more than one hit at the plate for the Express, and the team went 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position.
The two teams meet for the series finale Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. with left-hander Polin Trinidad taking the mound for Round Rock. All-star knuckleballer Charlie Haeger takes the mound for the Isotopes.
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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 22, 2009
- Beavers Fall to Aces - Portland Beavers
- Big Hits Power Albuquerque Win - Round Rock Express
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