PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Frankie derails Express, 5-2

Published on May 21, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


Frankie De La Cruz derailed the Round Rock Express (18-26) offense to lead the Albuquerque Isotopes (23-21) to a 5-2 triumph Wednesday night at Isotopes Park. De La Cruz (6-2, 3.20) took a shutout into the ninth, working eight and two-thirds innings while scattering five hits and allowing two last inning runs to claim his PCL-leading sixth victory.

The young right-hander was dominant throughout much of the contest, throwing 99 pitches, 75 for strikes. From the third to the eighth innings De La Cruz retired 14 batters in row while throwing an incredible 28 strikes in 31 pitches. De La Cruz also recorded four strikeouts while issuing just one walk.

The Isotopes secured an early lead for their starter as Andrew Beattie worked a one-out walk in the bottom of the first to set up the red hot John Gall, who would advance Beattie to third with a perfectly executed hit-and-run single to right field. The base hit extended Gall's 2008 home hitting streak to 22 games, the longest in professional baseball. Jason Wood then drove in Beattie with a sacrifice fly to give Albuquerque an early 1-0 lead.

After Express starter Josh Muecke shut down the ‘Topes for four innings, Albuquerque's bats returned to mark up the scoreboard in the fifth. John Baker reached on a two-out single past the second baseman for Jai Miller, who blasted a two-run homer over the left centerfield fence to open up the Isotopes' advantage, 3-0.

Albuquerque continued to put pressure on the Express with the long ball in the seventh as a one-out walk to Chris Barnwell lead to a towering opposite field homer by Beattie that lengthened lead to 5-0.

Round Rock would fight back in the top of the ninth when pinch-hitter Johnny Ash reached on a fielding error by Barnwell before Tomas Perez slashed a single to advance the runner 90-feet. After a fly out by Edwin Maysonet, Mark Saccomanno sprayed a single, scoring Ash and pushing Perez to third for the Express' first run of the game, 5-1. David Newhan would then hit a sacrifice fly to center field that scored Perez from third to reduce the once mighty lead to 5-2. Once J.R. House singled, ‘Topes manager Dean Treanor had seen enough from De La Cruz and with the tying run stepping up to the plate Treanor turned to his closer Joe Nelson. Nelson made sure the lead would stand striking out Reggie Abercrombie to earn his PCL-leading eleventh save of the season, his first since April 30th, while sealing the exciting 5-2 triumph.

The Isotopes look to win the series against the Round Rock Express behind left hander Chris Seddon (3-2, 4.00) who will battle Express righty Jack Cassell (3-1, 2.15) in a 6:35 PM start at Isotopes Park.

The ‘Topes eight game homestand concludes tomorrow against division rival Round Rock, Triple A affiliate of the Houston Astros. Tomorrow, the team will be giving away special Isotopes playing cards to the first 3,000 fans courtesy of INX. 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

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



Pacific Coast League Stories from May 21, 2008


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