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Albuquerque Isotopes

Express Slip Past Isotopes 6-5

May 1, 2009 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


Despite a solid effort from starter Eric Milton, the Albuquerque Isotopes (10-11) let a two-run lead slip away, dropping a 6-5 decision to the Round Rock Express (8-14) Friday night at Isotopes Park. Milton exited with a 5-3 lead after six innings of work, but the Express mounted a three-run rally in the bottom of the seventh off 'Topes reliever Henry Bonilla (1-1) to snatch a 6-5 lead they would not relinquish.

Albuquerque had an opportunity to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth, but catcher A.J. Ellis was gunned down at the plate in a double play to end the game and the 'Topes' chances. Ellis, the only Isotope to record multiple hits on the night, legged out an infield single to lead off the final frame and moved to second when Round Rock second baseman Edwin Maysonet overthrew the bag. A sacrifice bunt from Sergio Garcia moved Ellis to third, but, with one out, Ellis was caught at the plate trying to tag up on a fly out from Jason Repko when former Isotope John Gall fired a laser from left to mow down the runner.

Milton went six innings for his third straight outing, but lost his streak of 13 consecutive scoreless innings when the Express plated two runs in the top of the second. Round Rock pitcher Jose Capellan (1-4), who picked up the win for Round Rock, belted a two-run double to give Round Rock an early 2-0 lead.

In the bottom of the second, Milton would have the answer offensively, driving in three Albuquerque runs. The Isotopes loaded the bases with a Blake DeWitt walk, Hector Luna single to center, and an Ellis free pass. With two outs, Milton smacked a three-run double to left center that gave the Isotopes a 3-2 lead.

Albuquerque upped the advantage to 5-2 in the bottom of the fourth when DeWitt laced a triple to right center and scored one batter later on a Luna sacrifice fly. Dee Brown followed with a walk, darted into third on an Ellis base knock, and scored off a Repko single.

Gall would trim the lead to 5-3, launching a solo shot to left field in the top of the fifth.

After Milton's departure, the Express immediately exploded in the top of the seventh, using four singles to score three runs and capture a 6-5 lead. After Bonilla allowed back-to-back knocks to Reggie Abercrombie and Tommy Mazella, Mark Saccomanno roped an RBI single and Yordany Ramirez rapped a two-run base hit to give the Express the one-run advantage.

Milton scattered six hits, three runs and recorded six strikeouts but did not figure in the decision.

Capellan combined with three Express relievers to hold the Topes scoreless over the final five innings with Chad Paronto picking up his fifth save of the season.

Albuquerque looks to get back on track tomorrow behind lefty Shawn Estes (1-1, 2.37) who takes the mound for the Isotopes while Josh Mecke (0-2, 7.00) counters for Round Rock.

Albuquerque's homestand rolls on tomorrow, May 2 as the 'Topes will host the first fireworks extravaganza of the season in conjunction with Little League Night. 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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Pacific Coast League Stories from May 1, 2009


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