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Albuquerque Isotopes

Sounds Slip Past 'Topes 7-6

May 10, 2010 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


After rallying for three runs in the eighth to erase a two-run deficit and snatch the lead, the Albuquerque Isotopes (16-14) failed to hang on, as the Nashville Sounds (19-11) stormed back with two runs in the ninth to hand the 'Topes a 7-6 hard-luck loss in front of a season-high 11,272 fans in the series finale Monday afternoon at Isotopes Park.

Albuquerque led throughout the entire game until the seventh inning when back-and-forth scoring emerged between the two teams. With the Isotopes up 3-2, the Sounds plated a pair in the top of the seventh to grab a narrow 4-3 edge and added one in the eighth to up it to 5-3.

The Isotopes responded with some small ball in the bottom of the eighth to snatch the lead right back with three runs. After Prentice Redman singled, John Lindsey reached on an error and was replaced with pinch runner Timo Perez. Redman and Perez executed a double steal to put runners on second and third for Russ Mitchell, who slashed a single. A J.D. Closser walk moved Mitchell to second for Chin-lung Hu, who collected his third RBI of the game with a ground-out fielder's choice to the left side that plated Mitchell. Ramon Nivar provided a pinch-hit single for the go-ahead run as the 'Topes reclaimed the lead at 6-5.

The Sounds were prepared to retaliate, however, using a lead-off double in the top of the ninth off 'Topes closer Luis Ayala (1-2) to set up pinch hitter Joe Koshansky, who rocketed an 0-2 pitch to left field for his third home run of the series, a blast that put the Sounds back on top 7-6.

With PCL saves leader Chris Smith closing it out for the Sounds, Albuquerque succumbed to defeat in the ninth, sending Smith to his 12th save and Albuquerque to a series split.

Albuquerque aided shaky starter Scott Elbert early with three runs while Elbert managed to surrender just two, leaving 10 runners on base through five innings of work.

The 'Topes early scoring was provided by back-to-back doubles to open the bottom of the second courtesy Michael Restovich and Mitchell with Mitchell's plating Restovich to tie the score at 1-1. Hu then picked up an RBI single, his seventh straight at-bat with a hit, to put Albuquerque ahead 2-1. Hu gave the 'Topes another run in the fourth with a sacrifice fly that made it 3-1, but the last-inning rally made it all for naught as the Sounds stole the win.

The Isotopes hit the road for an eight-game road swing to Colorado Springs and Salt Lake City. Right-hander Josh Lindblom (1-1, 5.40) takes the mound for Albuquerque in the first game of the series at Colorado Springs against Sky Sox lefty Josh Muecke (0-1, 8.31). 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 10, 2010


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