Sports stats



PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Bees buzz 'Topes 5-3

August 4, 2006 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


The Salt Lake Bees (66-47) plated runs in the second through the fifth innings en route to a 5-3 win over the Albuquerque Isotopes (55-58) Friday night at Franklin Covey Field. Centerfielder Eric Reed hit an RBI triple to extend his hitting streak to 11 games in the defeat.

Salt Lake got the board first in the bottom of the second when Mike Elyward dropped a single in front of Jason Wood in left field to score Jeff Mathis. Wood, who was making his first start in the outfield since 1999 with Toledo, recovered well, throwing out a streaking Nick Gorneault at the plate to make sure the Bees would leave the inning up only 1-0.

Dallas McPherson, on a rehabilitation assignment from the L.A. Angels, extended the Salt Lake advantage with a two-run single in the bottom of the third, but once again an Isotopes outfield assist curbed the rally as right fielder Chris Aguila fired a perfect throw to first baseman Tom Wilson who himself delivered a dead-on relay to Mike Kinkade at third to cut down Kendry Morales and end the inning with the home team holding a 3-0 lead.

After Salt Lake added one more in the bottom of the fourth to take a 4-0 lead, Albuquerque got on the board in the top of the fifth when Chris Ashby lifted a sacrifice fly to center that scored Wilson to cut the advantage to 4-1. The Isotopes were not through in the fifth, however, as Reed pounded a two-out triple to right to chase home Edgar Gonzalez and cut the Salt Lake lead to 4-2.

The Bees got one of those runs back in the bottom of the fifth when Reggie Willits stole third base and trotted home when catcher Ashby's throw sailed into left field. Albuquerque would not go away, however, as Aguila smashed a double to right scoring Robert Andino in the eight to cut the lead to 5-3, but that's as close as the ‘Topes would get.

Lefty Nate Bland (5-3) earned the victory after allowing two runs on five hits in six innings, while Isotopes starter Jason Vargas (2-3), making his first start with Albuquerque after a month with the Florida Marlins, took the loss after yielding five runs on nine hits in 4.2 innings. Bees closer Marcus Gwyn (2) grabbed the save.

Albuquerque will wrap up its four-game set in Salt Lake tomorrow hoping to salvage a series split behind left-hander Chris George (1-5, 5.65), who will face RHP Kasey Olenberger (5-2, 4.67). First pitch is slated for 7:00 PM.

After one more game in Salt Lake followed by four more in Colorado Springs, the ‘Topes return home on August 11 for four games against the Nashville Sounds that will include the Isotopes' special Back To School Celebration and Fireworks Spectacular on August 13, a bonus pyrotechnics display that will bring the total number of fireworks shows at Isotopes Park to a whopping 12. Tickets can be purchased at the Isotopes Park Box Office, www.albuquerquebaseball.com, Ticketmaster outlets, or at www.ticketmaster.com. For more information, please call (505) 924-2255.

Check out the Albuquerque Isotopes Statistics



Pacific Coast League Stories from August 4, 2006


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central