PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Cubs Outlast Topes' 14-12

Published on July 28, 2010 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


The Albuquerque Isotopes (52-50) repeatedly tried to muster comebacks against the Iowa Cubs (58-46), who were able to just barely hold off the surging ‘Topes for a wild 14-12 win Tuesday night at Isotopes Park.

Pressed into an emergency start on three days rest due to a back injury to scheduled starter Claudio Vargas, starter Jesus Castillo fought through four innings, allowing six runs on five hits while walking three and striking out two.

Albuquerque would surrender leads all night but were able to keep pace with the Cubs. After falling behind 2-0 in the first inning, ‘Topes first baseman John Lindsey laced his first triple of the season, scoring Trent Oeltjen and Russ Mitchell to give the ‘Topes a 3-2 lead. Lindsey roped another triple in the fifth, giving him two triples in a season for the first time since 2005.

Iowa's plate a pair of runs in the third to take a 4-3 lead before breaking the game open in the fifth when Brad Snyder hit a two-run double and catcher Welington Castillo smashed a grand slam, giving the Cubs a 10-3 lead.

However, Albuquerque would strike back and score four runs in the bottom of the fifth, which included back-to-back homers by the ‘Topes. Russ Mitchell would hit a three-run dinger and Jay Gibbons followed with an opposite field solo shot to left field, bringing the ‘Topes back to within three, 10-7.

Again the Cubs added two runs in the sixth to go in front 12-7, but Albuquerque answered with a run in the bottom of the frame only to see Iowa score again in the seventh to seize a 12-8 advantage.

Carlos Zambrano, who is on a Major League rehab assignment with Iowa, made an appearance in the seventh and quickly found himself in a sticky situation, loading the bases for Elian Herrera, who drew a free-pass scoring Jamie Hoffmann and cutting the lead to 12-9. Two batters later, Ivan De Jesus Jr. hammered a single to right field, scoring A.J. Ellis, who was hit by a pitch thrown by Zambrano, and Michael Restovich to make the score 13-11. In one inning of work, Zambrano gave up three runs on three hits while walking one and striking out one.

The Cubbies tacked on one more tally of insurance in the eighth before the Isotopes mounted one last gasp comeback in the bottom of the ninth. Oeltjen led off the frame with a double, advanced to third on a single by Mitchell, and scored on a Gibbons groundout to make the score 14-12, but Iowa reliever Jeff Stevens halted any chance of an Albuquerque comeback coaxing a Lindsey groundout to end the game and preserve the wild win.

The Isotopes will look to get back in the win column on Wednesday with a starter that is yet to be determined taking on Iowa lefty J.R. Mathes (8-6, 5.03) in a 7:05 PM start from Isotopes Park.

Albuquerque's hard-rocking homestand continues with a four game series with the Iowa Cubs and their Hall of Fame Manager Ryne Sandberg. On Thursday, the Isotopes will give away special Ryne Sandberg posters to the first 3,000 fans courtesy of Cottonwood Printing to commemorate Sandberg's visit. 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

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Pacific Coast League Stories from July 28, 2010


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