PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Fields Fixes Cubs in 6-5 'Topes Win

Published on April 10, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


DES MOINES, Iowa - With the game knotted at 5-5 in the top of the ninth inning, Josh Fields belted a two-out, pinch-hit home run to propel the Albuquerque Isotopes (2-4) to a thrilling 6-5 victory over the Iowa Cubs (3-3) Tuesday afternoon at Principal Park. The victory ends a three-game losing streak for the "˜Topes to start 2012 and simultaneously puts to a halt to a seven-game losing streak in Des Moines that dates back to last year.

Tied at five apiece, Iowa reliever Jeff Beliveau got two quick outs before pinch-hitter Fields stepped in and crushed an offering into the teeth of a howling wind over the left-field fence for his first home run of the season, giving Albuquerque a 6-5 advantage. The pinch-hit blast was the first by an Isotopes hitter since May 16 of last year.

The "˜Topes had a lead, but they were far from being out of the woods, as reliever Josh Wall came on in the bottom of the ninth and, after getting one out, walked Tony Campana and hit Brett Jackson to put the tying run on second with just one down. Wall (1) rallied, however, coaxing a pop-out to short by Alfredo Amezaga before getting hot-hitting Anthony Rizzo to fly out to left, securing the win as well as his first career Triple-A save.

Fields' heroics were made possible by some late dinger dramatics by the I-Cubs in the eighth. After Albuquerque plated a key insurance run in the top of the frame on an RBI single by Scott Van Slyke to make the score 5-3, Adrian Cardenas blasted a two-run homer to right in the bottom of the eighth to suddenly tie the game at 5-5.

The late innings were a microcosm of the ebb and flow of the entire game, with the "˜Topes taking a lead only to see the Cubs answer. Albuquerque jumped on top with a run in the first inning on an RBI single by Jeff Baisley to seize a quick 1-0 advantage, but Iowa responded in the bottom of the second with a run-scoring single by Blake Lalli to knot the contest at 1-1.

Albuquerque looked to take control of the game in top of the third, scoring three runs thanks to a deluge of doubles. After Matt Angle reached on a one-out single, Alex Castellanos hammered a double to left, his second two-bagger in as many at-bats, that plated the runner and put the "˜Topes on top 2-1. Two batters later, Baisley crushed another double off the wall in left, scoring Castellanos and increasing the advantage to 3-1 Albuquerque. Van Slyke capped the rally with a double of his own, sending home Baisley and giving the Isotopes a 4-1 cushion.

The "˜Topes would need all of that cushion and more, as the Cubs scored a run in the third and another in the fourth, cutting the lead to 4-3 and setting up the dramatic ending.

Albuquerque reliever Derrick Loop (1-0) earned the victory, but the Isotopes were beneficiaries of another solid performance from starter Mike Parisi, who didn't figure in the decision but tossed five solid innings in which he yielded just three runs on five hits while walking two and striking out six. Beliveau (0-1) suffered the loss for Iowa.

The "˜Topes will look to make it two in a row against the Cubs on Wednesday night with lefty Michael Antonini (0-0, 1.80) making the start for the Isotopes against I-Cubs right-hander Casey Coleman (0-1, 7.20 ERA) in a 5:35 PM MT start from Principal Park. Wednesday is Retro Night in Des Moines, with the Isotopes donning their yellow Dukes jerseys and Iowa wearing retro-style Iowa Oaks uniforms.

After two more games in Iowa, Albuquerque returns home this Friday for an action-packed home-opening eight-game homestand. On Friday, the first 3,000 fans will get an Isotopes scarf courtesy of Sandia Resort and on Saturday, "˜Topes beanie caps will be handed out to the first 3,000 fans courtesy of Coca-Cola. Dodgers Hall of Fame Manager Tommy Lasorda is also scheduled to join in on Friday's Opening Night festivities. 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.abqisotopes.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 10, 2012


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