PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Cubs Club 'Topes 9-4

Published on April 21, 2011 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


Two disastrous innings early on spelled doom for the Albuquerque Isotopes (8-6), as the Iowa Cubs (8-6) plated nine runs in the second and third innings to coast to a 9-4 win on a chilly Thursday night at Principal Park. The I-Cubs scored six times in the third alone, four of the runs coming on the first grand slam allowed by Isotopes pitching this season.

Things unraveled for the ‘Topes quickly, as the Cubs took advantage of a spate of Albuquerque miscues to grab an early lead. With runners on second and third with two outs in the bottom of the second, the ‘Topes looked to escape the threat unscathed when Iowa pitcher Jay Jackson bounced a grounder in the direction of Albuquerque third baseman Russ Mitchell. The normally sure-handed Mitchell's throw sailed wide of first, however, allowing two runs to score and give the Cubs a 2-0 lead. After an infield single by Fernando Perez, Lou Montanez roped a ball up the middle that was deflected by pitcher Randy Keisler before finding second baseman Justin Sellers, whose throw also eluded first baseman Corey Smith, allowing Jackson to trot home with the third unearned tally of the frame.

It got worse for the ‘Topes one inning later, when Keisler walked the bases loaded on three straight bases on balls with one out before surrendering an RBI single to Matt Camp that increased the lead to 4-0 Iowa. The left-handed starter struck out his counterpart Jackson for the second out of the inning before walking Perez to again load the bases and then departing the contest with an injury. That left a tough spot for reliever Jon Huber, who grooved a fastball to Montanez that was hammered over the wall in left-center for a grand slam, giving the I-Cubs a 9-0 lead after three.

To their credit, the Isotopes never gave up, bouncing right back up off the mat with two runs in the top of the fourth. Mitchell led off the inning with a single before coming all the way around to score on the first triple of the season by Trent Oeltjen. Jamie Hoffmann then lifted a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Oeltjen and cutting the home team's lead to 9-2.

Albuquerque tacked on two more tallies in the sixth when Oeltjen drew a two-out walk in front of Smith, who reached on a fielding error by Iowa first baseman Scott Moore. Hoffmann then poked a soft infield single to second, loading the bases for Trayvon Robinson, who delivered a two-run single to left, plating Oeltjen and Smith to trim the Cubs lead to a manageable 9-4.

The early deficit proved too great, however, as the I-Cubs shut down Albuquerque the rest of the way to preserve the 9-4 triumph. Jackson (1-0) earned the win for the home team after five innings in which he allowed two runs on two hits, while Keisler (0-2) suffered the loss with eight runs, five earned, in 2.2 innings while walking four and striking out three.

After the early deluge of runs, Albuquerque's bullpen ended up posting a sterling effort with five straight scoreless frames. Huber returned after the grand slam and authored a scoreless fourth before Francisco Felix and Scott Elbert each added perfect frames of their own, Elbert fanning two of the three batters he faced. Travis Schlichting closed out the game with two more scoreless innings to keep the Isotopes within striking distance.

The ‘Topes will look for a series split in the fourth and final game at the frozen tundra that is Principal Park with righty Tim Redding (0-1, 20.25) taking the hill for Albuquerque against Iowa left-hander J.R. Mathes (0-0, 4.50) in a 6:05 PM MT start from Des Moines.

After their series in Iowa, the Isotopes are back home to warmer climes this Saturday for an Easter weekend full of great promotions including the first post-game fireworks show of the season on Saturday and a pre-game Easter Sunday candy hunt presented by PEEPS. 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 April 21, 2011


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