PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Express Survive Late Isotopes Rally

Published on June 10, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


Six runs scored by the Round Rock Express (28-36) in the sixth inning were enough to withstand a late-inning rally by the Albuquerque Isotopes (29-34) for a 9-6 triumph Monday night at Isotopes Park. A trio of Isotopes, Chris Barnwell, Chase Lambin, and John Gall each homered to spark the offense, but it was not enough to overcome Round Rock's timely hitting.

Albuquerque jumped on the scoreboard early in the bottom of the first as Barnwell crushed a 3-1 offering from Express starter Ron Chiavacci deep over the left field fence for the game's first run, 1-0.

The Express responded in the fourth when Ray Sadler cracked a deep drive of his own over the left field fence to tie the game up at one.

Round Rock broke open the game in the sixth as leadoff hitter J.R. House slapped a double to right-center field only to sprint to third on a Mark Saccomanno single to left. With two men on, right fielder David Newhan slashed a single to left-center field plating House for Round Rock's second run while Saccomanno dashed to third. Ray Sadler singled to left-center field driving in Saccomano and giving the Express the 3-1 lead while Newhan scampered to second. Following a hit by pitch to J.R. Towles to load the bases, Yordany Ramirez hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score Newhan and extend Round Rock's lead to three, 4-1, while Sadler advanced 90-feet on the play. Following a groundout that advanced Towles to second, Tomas Perez drove a deep fly to right field that would be misplayed by Chase Lambin for an error, scoring Sadler and Towles while allowing Perez to cruise into second. Edwin Maysonet extended the rally by hitting a shallow fly to left field, but left fielder Gall and shortstop Robert Andino failed to communicate, allowing the ball to drop between them as Perez and Towles scored to pad the Express lead to 7-1.

The ‘Topes started their comeback in the bottom of the sixth as Jason Wood hit a one-out single up to the middle to set up Chase Lambin, who blasted a two-run homer to left narrowing the lead to four, 7-3.

Albuquerque continued to claw back at the Express' advantage in the eighth when Gall smashed a line-drive solo home run over the left field fence, 7-4.

Saccomano led off the ninth for the Express singling to center, setting up Newhan, who doubled through the hole at second, pushing Saccomano to third. Following a pop-out Isotopes reliever Scott Nestor intentionally walked Towles to set up a potential inning-ending double-play. The plan would be dashed, however, as Ramirez singled to center to drive in Saccomano and Newhan and give Round Rock two important insurance runs, 9-4.

The Isotopes made one last desperate charge in the bottom of the ninth when Jai Miller's lead off walk set up pinch-hitting Tagg Bozied, who slugged a towering two-run bomb to left bringing the Isotopes within striking distance, 9-6. Andino followed with a single up the middle and advanced to second when Barnwell reached on a fielding error by reliever Nick Regilio. Following a Gall fly out, Wood loaded the bases with a walk and was replaced by pinch-runner Dante Brinkley, who was called out after a groundball by Dallas McPherson hit the base runner in the leg, simultaneously forcing Andino and Barnwell to stay put on the dead ball. With the winning run on base, Regilio would settle down, striking out Lambin to end the game and secure the 9-6 Express victory.

The Isotopes look to rebound in game two of the four-game series against the Round Rock Express as ace Frankie De La Cruz (6-3, 4.30) takes the mound against Express righty Runelvys Hernandez (5-2, 3.56) in a 7:05 PM showdown at Isotopes Park.

The first half of Albuquerque's exciting eight-game homestand continues against the Round Rock Express, Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros. The fun continues with magnetic picture frame and baseball card giveaways later in the week before a post-game fireworks show on Friday, June 13. Tickets can be purchased at Isotopes Park or any Ticketmaster outlet, www.ticketmaster.com, or Ticketmaster by phone 505-883-7800. For more information on individual game tickets, season tickets, or mini-plans, visit www.albuquerquebaseball.com or call 505-924-2255.

Check out the Albuquerque Isotopes Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from June 10, 2008


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