Grand Slam Lifts Albuquerque 16-12
Published on June 21, 2010 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Iowa Cubs News Release
Michael Restovich hit a two-out pinch-hit grand slam for Albuquerque in the bottom of the eighth to lead the Isotopes to a 16-12 victory over Iowa Monday afternoon at Principal Park. The grand slam was the second of the day for Albuquerque as catcher Lucas May hit his own bases-loaded bomb in the third inning.
Albuquerque entered the eighth inning trailing Iowa 12-9 when Cub reliever John Gaub entered the game. Gaub quickly recorded two outs before running into trouble on the mound. Timo Perez reached on a walk and scored on Jamie Hoffmann's RBI triple. Prentice Redman followed with an RBI single and Gaub was chased from the mound after issuing his second free pass to Jay Gibbons.
Brian Schlitter was called from the bullpen with a 12-11 lead and walked Russ Mitchell to load the bases. Restovich then came to the plate to pinch-hit for 'Topes pitcher Jesus Rodriguez and lined a 1-1 pitch over left field to give Albuquerque the lead.
Albuquerque's six-run eighth inning capped off an impressive comeback after Iowa staged a comeback of their own.
Down 9-4 entering the fifth, Iowa quickly got to Albuquerque starter Tim Corcoran. Marquez Smith led off the inning with a double, and two consecutive singles followed him before Corcoran was pulled from the game. Bobby Blevins entered from the bullpen as Iowa's hot hitting continued. Matt Camp hit an RBI single and Sam Fuld followed with a sacrifice fly to make the score 9-7 in favor of Albuquerque.
The see-saw battle continued as the Cubs tied the game in the bottom of the sixth. Brad Snyder led off the inning with a solo home run to center field, making it a 9-8 game in favor of the Isotopes. With one out, Marquez Smith hit his second double in consecutive innings and scored on a sac fly by Welington Castillo, tying the score at nine.
Albuquerque's bullpen struggles continued into the seventh as Iowa was able to regain the lead. Camp started off the inning with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by reliever Blake Parker. Fuld and Darwin Barney were then issued back-to-back walks and Brad Snyder followed with a two-run single. Bryan LaHair followed with a sacrifice fly and the Cubs led 12-9 at the end of the seventh.
The back and forth scoring started early as the Isotopes got on the board in the top of the first. Hoffmann led off the game by reaching on a throwing error by Barney. Hoffmann then stole second base, and advanced to third on a fly out by Redman. Gibbons then lined a single to right field, scoring Hoffmann, and giving the Isotopes an early 1-0 lead.
The Cubs answered in their half of the inning. Fuld singled to lead off the inning, but was forced out two batters later on a ground ball by Snyder. LaHair then popped one up behind third base that found open ground and Snyder, who was running on the pitch, scored from first, tying the score at one.
The Cubs added to the lead in the bottom of the second. Jim Adduci led off the inning with a single and Castillo promptly reached after being hit by a pitch. Camp, Atkins and Fuld then hit consecutive singles to plate two runs. Barney followed with a sacrifice fly, the first of the Cubs' four on the game, to make it a 4-1 game.
The Isotopes were able to gain back the lead in the top of the third. They loaded the bases on back-to-back singles and a walk, with none out. Lucas May then stepped up to the plate and blasted a grand slam on a rocket line drive to the seats in left field, giving the Isotopes a 5-4 lead.
Albuquerque continued the hit parade and tacked on three more runs in the fourth. With one out, Redman walked, and Gibbons doubled, putting runners at 2nd and 3rd. Xavier Paul came up and knocked a three-run home run, giving the Isotopes a 9-4 lead. All nine runs came off Cubs' starter, Mitch Atkins.
It was Atkins worst outing of the year, as he was tagged for nine runs (eight earned) in four innings of work. John Gaub (3-2) was tagged with the loss, giving up four runs in two-thirds of an inning.
Isotopes reliever Jesus Rodriguez (1-1) earned the victory and Jon Link picked up his fourth save of the year, giving Albuquerque two innings of work.
Iowa faces division foe Omaha over the next four days that will wrap up the club's season-long 12-day home stand. RH Gaby Hernandez (5-4, 4.36) will start for the Royals and oppose RH Jay Jackson (3-6, 3.48). First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.
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