Fife Fires Gem, Fans a Dozen Cubs
Published on July 22, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Iowa Cubs News Release
Albuquerque, NM - Stephen Fife struck out a season-high 12 over seven strong innings to lead the Albuquerque Isotopes (59-42) to a 9-5 win over the Iowa Cubs (41-61) at Isotopes Park tonight. The Cubs have lost four in a row overall and eight straight at Isotopes Park going back to last season.
Fife (8-5) limited the Cubs to four hits and one run and didn't walk a batter while reaching a dozen strikeouts. It's the highest strikeout game for a pitcher against the Cubs in the last five seasons. The Cubs scored their only run against Fife when Brett Jackson scored on a wild pitch in the top of the sixth inning.
The Isotopes built an early lead against Cubs' starter Chris Volstad. Alex Castellanos blasted a two-run homer in the bottom of the first inning and had back-to-back RBI doubles with Elian Herrera in the second to put the 'Topes up 4-0. Volstad (2-5) posted two scoreless innings before the 'Topes took advantage of an error by Josh Vitters at third and scored two more runs (one earned) in the fifth for a 6-0 lead.
The Cubs came back in the top of the eighth inning against Erick Threets. With two outs, Threets walked Alfredo Amezaga and Adrian Cardenas before Vitters launched a home run to left that brought the Cubs to within two at 6-4. Vitters has homered in back-to-back games for the fourth time this season and has 15 on the year. Angel Guzman took over for Threets and got a groundout to end the inning.
The Cubs brought in Frankie De La Cruz to pitch in the bottom of the eighth inning and Trent Oeltjen greeted him with a solo homer to left. That snapped a streak of 20.1 consecutive scoreless innings over seven relief appearances for De La Cruz. The 'Topes would tack on two more runs in the inning. Castellanos singled and scored on a wild pitch. Tim Federowicz added an RBI double.
In the top of the ninth, Welington Castillo led off with a homer to deep left for his fifth homer of the season before Guzman recorded the final three outs and earned his second save of the season.
The Cubs and Isotopes wrap up this series tomorrow afternoon at 1:05 Central Time. LH Brooks Raley (4-5, 3.18) will start for the Cubs against RH John Ely (8-7, 3.55) for the Isotopes. The game will be broadcast live on AM 940 with the On-Deck Circle Pre-Game Show starting at 12:45.
Pacific Coast League Stories from July 22, 2012
- Fife Fires Gem, Fans a Dozen Cubs - Iowa Cubs
- Fife Fans a Dozen in 9-5 Isotopes Win - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Round Rock Express Rally Past Omaha 8-7 - Round Rock Express
- Round Rock Walks off with Win over Omaha - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Sky Sox Sweep Twin Bill with Tacoma - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Redbirds Collect 24 Runs and 24 Hits in Record Breaking Night - Memphis Redbirds
- Rainiers Swept in Doubleheader with Sky Sox - Tacoma Rainiers
- Memphis Makes History in 24-7 Win - Oklahoma City Comets
- Rogers Holds Z's for a 3-2 Nashville Victory on Sunday - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Sounds Edge Z's, 3-2 - Nashville Sounds
- Padres Rally Late - Tucson Padres
- River Cats Flash Power, Fall to T-Pads, 5-3 - Sacramento River Cats
- Chicago Cubs Recall Beliveau; Reliever Harris Returns to Iowa - Iowa Cubs
- Round Rock Express - Game Notes vs. Omaha Storm Chasers - Round Rock Express
- RedHawks Game Notes: July 22, 2012 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Aces Clip Las Vegas 6-5 in 11 Innings - Reno Aces
- 'Topes (Home) Run over I-Cubs 16-3 - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Put up Your Dukes: Albuquerque Clubs Cubs 16-3 - Iowa Cubs
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.
