PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Eveland, Sands Roll Round Rock, 11-3

Published on July 7, 2011 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


The Albuquerque Isotopes (45-41) got some masterful pitching from All-Star starter Dana Eveland and some thump from outfielder Jerry Sands, cruising to an 11-3 win over the Round Rock Express (50-36) Wednesday night at Isotopes Park. The ‘Topes finish their short, three-game set with the Express having taken two of three while climbing to within five games of first-place Round Rock in the PCL's American Southern Division.

The Isotopes came out of the clubhouse swinging, plating three quick runs in the bottom of the first. Dee Gordon led off the game with a triple and, after a walk to Russ Mitchell, Sands cleared the bases with a double to center, giving the ‘Topes a 2-0 lead. After advancing to third on a fly-out, Sands came trotting home on a wild pitch by Express starter Derek Hankins, boosting the home team's advantage to 3-0.

Justin Sellers led off the second with a single, advanced to second on a wild pitch, moved into third on a groundout, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Mitchell, before Sands struck again by pulverizing a ball off the top of the scoreboard in left to extend Albuquerque's lead to 5-0 after just two frames.

In his third at-bat of the game, Sands laced an RBI single in the fourth, moving him just a triple from the cycle after just four frames while also giving the ‘Topes a 6-0 cushion.

Albuquerque put the nail in the Express coffin in the fifth, sending nine men to plate in a five-run deluge that all but sealed Round Rock's fate. With runners on the corners and nobody out, J.D. Closser got the ball rolling with an RBI single that opened the floodgates. Corey Smith then reached on an error by first baseman Chad Tracy, loading the bases for Sellers, who smashed a double to center, plating two and increasing the Isotopes advantage to 9-0. Gordon then chipped in an RBI single before Sands lifted a sacrifice fly to deep left, scoring Sellers and giving the home team an 11-0 lead. Sands didn't quite get the cycle, but he did finish the night with three hits and four RBI to lead the Isotopes' offensive attack.

While the 11-run cushion was nice, it was hardly needed, as Eveland was dominant, proving why he was a slam-dunk selection to the PCL All-Star team. Eveland (8-5) allowed the potent Express lineup just three hits through seven shutout innings before Round Rock finally was able to scratch across two runs, only one of them earned, in the eighth. When his book was finally closed, the left-hander tossed eight innings, allowing two runs, one earned, on five hits while walking one and striking out seven to earn his league-leading eighth win. Eveland tossed 113 pitches on the night and coaxed 12 groundball outs. Jon Link came on in the ninth and surrendered one more run before mopping up the 11-3 ‘Topes triumph.

Albuquerque will look to keep the wins coming on Thursday when the Nashville Sounds, Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, come to town for a four-game game series. Lefty Randy Keisler (4-4, 4.08) gets the ball for the ‘Topes in the series opener against Sounds right-hander Amaury Rivas (6-7, 4.34) in a 7:05 PM start from Isotopes Park.

The Isotopes' fun-filled homestand continues Thursday with an inflatable bat giveaway courtesy of Comcast before the team kicks off the weekend with a backpack giveaway to the first 3,000 kids (15 and under) courtesy of Lovelace Health System. 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 July 7, 2011


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