PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Albuquerque Prevails In Rain-Shortened 4-0 Win

Published on June 26, 2009 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


A one-hour rain delay at the start and another at the end didn't faze starter Scott Elbert as the southpaw led the Albuquerque Isotopes (37-36) to a 4-0 shutout of the Nashville Sounds (42-32) in a six-inning rain-shortened affair on a soggy Thursday night at Isotopes Park. While the largest crowd in Isotopes Park history was on hand on Tuesday, the 15,083 in attendance Thursday braved the elements as the third largest. The rain storm that delayed the start of the game was surpassed in intensity by the one that ended it, as heavy rain and lightening ensured that the two teams would not be able to complete the scheduled nine-innings.

Elbert (1-0), who has already picked up a win with the Dodgers this season, sparkled in his Triple-A debut, carrying a no-hitter into the sixth inning before Martin Maldonado dumped a bloop single behind second base for the first and only Sounds knock of the contest. After Elbert recorded his seventh strikeout by whiffing pinch-hitter Angel Salome, J.D. Closser picked Maldonado off from first, erasing the runner and ending the inning just in time for the rain to close in.

Fortunately, the Isotopes supported Elbert early with Dee Brown carrying the load. With two outs, Blake DeWitt singled and Jamie Hoffmann walked, setting up Brown, who smoked a double to left in the bottom of the first to create an instant 2-0 Albuquerque advantage.

The Isotopes doubled their runs in the bottom of the third to establish a 4-0 lead off Sounds starter Chris Cody (2-2). After Chin-Lung Hu singled to center, DeWitt smoked a double down the right-field line giving the 'Topes runners on the corners with one out. Hu trotted home on a groundout via Hoffmann before Brown picked up his third RBI plating Hoffmann with a single to right to cap the scoring.

Meanwhile, Elbert refused a Sounds runner past second and wiped away his only two other base runners. After Jason Bourgeois led off the game with a walk, Alcides Escobar grounded into a fielder's choice and was then himself erased when Closser's arm gunned him down trying to steal second. Elbert ended the first four innings with a strikeout to lead the Isotopes to their seventh victory in 10 games.

Due to the showers and ensuing field conditions, Major League rehabbing Manny Ramirez was removed from the lineup instantaneously wrapping up his assignment with the Isotopes.

Albuquerque will wrap up what has been a tumultuous series with the Nashville Sounds tomorrow with Major League rehabbing righty Jason Schmidt (0-0, 4.70) taking on Sounds southpay Lindsay Gulin (3-3, 5.37) in a 7:05 PM start from The Lab.

The second half of the Isotopes big eight-game homestand concludes with a Drawstring Backpack Giveaway Friday courtesy of Webster University. 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.

Check out the Albuquerque Isotopes Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from June 26, 2009


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