Cubs Can't Contain Isotopes
April 18, 2012 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Iowa Cubs News Release
Albuquerque, NM - The Albuquerque Isotopes (5-8) scored six runs in the bottom of the first inning and beat the Iowa Cubs (7-6) 13-6 at Isotopes Park tonight. Alex Castellanos led the Isotopes with three extra-base hits, including a three-run homer, and scored four runs. Tonight was the first of a four-game series to complete the Cubs' first road trip of the season. The Cubs are 2-3 on the road trip, but lead the season series 3-2 against the Isotopes.
The Cubs got off to a great start, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning off Isotopes' starter Stephen Fife. Luis Valbuena, Adrian Cardenas, and Blake Lalli had RBI singles. Cardenas extended his hitting streak to 10 games with the hit.
The Isotopes answered quickly in the bottom of the first against Cubs' starter Chris Rusin. With one out, Alex Castellanos tripled and scored on a base hit by Jerry Sands. Two more singles produced a second run before Jeff Baisley grounded out. The Cubs appeared to be out of the inning when TIm Federowicz grounded to shortstop, but the inning continued when Anthony Rizzo had the throw drop out of his glove for an error. Luis Cruz followed with an RBI single and Fife finished a 10-pitch at-bat with a two-run double to give the Isotopes a 6-3 lead.
The Isotopes added a run against Frankie De La Cruz in the second inning before the Cubs clawed back into the game. The Cubs scored twice in the third on an RBI double from Cardenas and an RBI groundout by Lalli. In the sixth inning, Josh Vitters singled and scored on a pinch-hit, RBI triple by Edgar Gonzalez that cut the Isotopes' lead to 7-6 and chased Fife from the game. Ramon Troncoso came in and finished the sixth inning and went on to retire all seven batters he would face to get through the eighth.
De La Cruz allowed just the one run through four innings of relief. Nate Robertson took over on the mound for the Cubs in the bottom of the sixth. The Isotopes added six runs (five earned) against Robertson over the final three innings. Cruz belted a two-run homer in the sixth and Catellanos launched his homer in the eighth.
Fife (1-2) overcame the tough start to earn his first win of the season. Rusin (1-2) was charged with the loss.
The Cubs and Isotopes continue this series tomorrow night at 7:35 PM Central Time. RH Jay Jackson (1-0, 4.66) will start for the Cubs against RH Fernando Nieve (1-1, 14.09) for the Isotopes. The game will be broadcast live on AM 940 and streamed live at iowacubs.com. Deene Ehlis and Randy Wehofer have the call with the On-Deck Circle Pre-Game Show starting at 7:15.
Pacific Coast League Stories from April 18, 2012
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