Isotopes Put Z's to Bed
May 5, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release
SS Alfredo Amezaga (3-for-4, 3B, HR, R, RBI) was a double away from the cycle in the Topes' (17-13) 6-2 victory over the Zephyrs (13-15) on Sunday afternoon. The Topes have taken two of the first three meetings of the season between the two clubs as the pitching staff held the Zephyrs scoreless after the third inning in today's game.
Pitching was a theme for Albuquerque in the matinee. Right-handed starter Blake Johnson (3-1, 4.94) kept his team in the game holding the Zephyrs to two runs in his outing. He impressed going six innings into the game, allowing eight hits and earning the win. He also struck out two and surrendered one long ball. RHP Steve Smith and righty Geison Aguasviva combined for two scoreless innings out of the pen. Smith struck out two hitters. RHP Peter Moylan finished the game firing a scoreless ninth inning.
2B Ed Lucas got the Zephyrs' offense off to a fast start. Lucas blasted a home run to dead center field over the 400-foot marking to stake New Orleans to a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Lucas has five homers on the season. The Topes did not waste any time tying the game at one in their first at bats. Speedy lead-off hitter Tony Gwynn Jr. (2-for-4, 3 R) walked to start the inning. 2B Elian Herrera (3-for-5) followed with his fourth double of the season scoring Gwynn Jr. from first base.
New Orleans snatched the lead back in the third inning. RF Bryan Petersen sent his seventh double of the year into left field scoring CF Gorkys Hernandez putting the Zephyrs up 2-1. Hernandez reached on a single.
Albuquerque had an immediate answer for the second time in the first three frames. Gwynn Jr., took the third pitch of his at bat over the left field wall for his first homer of the year. His solo shot evened the score at one. An inning later, Mexican born Amezaga gave the Topes their first lead of the ballgame, 3-2, with his first home run of the season on Cinco de Mayo.
RF Rusty Ryal (1-for-4, 3 RBI) turned a deep shot to center field into a triple when Gorkys Hernandez dropped the ball on a good attempt to catch it on the hill. His triple bagger scored Herrera, 1B Scott Van Slyke and Gwynn Jr. improving the Topes lead to 6-2. Amezaga led off the frame with a triple.
LHP Brad Hand suffered the loss falling to 2-2 on the season coupled with a 2.76 ERA. He allowed four runs on seven hits, four walks and two home runs. Hand also struck out five.
The conclusion of the four-game series between the Isotopes and Zephyrs in set for tomorrow, Monday May 6 at 12:05 PM. Albuquerque southpaw Aaron Laffey (1-0, 0.00) is slated to make his first start with the Isotopes since signing with the Dodgers on April 30. The Zephyrs will send RHP Dough Mathis (1-2, 1.66) to opposed Laffey. Catch all of the game action on 1050 AM KTBL with Josh Suchon on the call.
Tickets are on sale now at the Isotopes Park Box Office, at Ticketmaster outlets, through Ticketmaster by phone at (800) 745-3000, or online at www.abqisotopes.com or www.ticketmaster.com. For information, please call (505) 924-2255.
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