I-Cubs outlast 'Topes rally, 10-6
Published on July 12, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release
A four-run eighth brought the Albuquerque Isotopes (40-56) within striking distance, but the Iowa Cubs (60-38) prevailed for the 10-6 win Saturday night at Isotopes Park. Dallas McPherson continued to extend his professional baseball lead in homers by slugging his 32nd dinger of the season in the fourth and Andrew Beattie added his eighth of the season, a three-run shot in the eighth, both homers accounted for two-thirds of the Isotopes runs.
Lorenzo Scott began the game by beating out an infield single to second to set up Chris Barnwell, who slashed a single to right field that advanced Scott to second. With Tagg Bozied at bat, âTopes Manager Dean Treanor decided to put early pressure on the Iowa Cubs by signaling for a double steal that was executed to perfection. With both runners now in scoring position, Bozied then drew a walk to load the bases for McPherson who drove in Scott on a fielder's choice that gave Albuquerque the early 1-0 advantage
Iowa bounced back in the top of the second when Bobby Scales stung a one-out double to left field. Then with two outs, Isotopes starter Bobby Keppel uncorked a wild pitch that advanced Scales to third for Luis Figueroa, who smacked a single up the middle that plated Scales and tied the game up at one. Mike Burns then drew a walk to set up Andres Torres, whose single to right field plated Figueroa from second and gave the Cubs the lead, 2-1, while Burns slid into third. Felix Pie then slugged a line-drive triple down the right field line that cleared the bases and increased Iowa's lead to three-runs, 4-1.
Figueroa led off the fourth inning by singling to left-center field for Burns, who hit a sacrifice bunt that advanced Figueroa to second. With a runner in scoring position, Torres doubled to right field that scored Figueroa as the I-Cubs reclaimed the four-run lead, 5-1. Iowa continued its clutch two-out hitting when Hoffpauir doubled to right that scored Torres for the inning's second run, 6-1.
The Isotopes clawed back from the five run deficit in the bottom of the fourth when McPherson knocked a solo blast over the left-center field wall to bring it within four, 6-2.
Keppel began the fifth inning by walking leadoff hitter Josh Kroeger, only to be relieved by Kenny Baugh, who didn't fair much better, walking Scales and Koyie Hill to load the bases. With the bases loaded, Figueroa singled past the drawn in infield, scoring Kroeger and Scales to extend the lead to six, 8-2, while Hill advanced to second. Hill dashed to third following a Burns fielder's choice that eliminated Figueroa from second. With runners on first and third, Pie singled to right, plating Hill for Iowa's ninth run, 9-2. Hoffpauir continued the inning by adding another single that plated Burns and capped Iowa's second four-run inning of the game, 10-2.
Albuquerque battled valiantly back with two-outs in the eighth, Bozied began the rally by doubling to left-center field for McPherson, who drove in Bozied for Albuquerque's third run when he smashed a grounder to first that was booted by Hoffpauir, extending the inning. McPherson immediately dashed to second only to have Jason Wood draw a walk. With two men on, Beattie crushed the first pitch he saw deep over the right field fence for a three-run homer that brought the Isotopes within four, 10-6.
Hector Carrasco entered in the ninth for the I-Cubs and despite a one-out double by Tommy Murphy, shut down the Isotopes offense for the final two outs to secure the 10-6 Iowa triumph.
Tomorrow the Isotopes and Cubs will battle in game three of their weekend series with Albuquerque giving the ball to right hander Dallas Trahern (3-8, 6.36), who will battle Iowa righty Justin Berg (4-4, 5.58) first pitch is set for 6:05 PM at Isotopes Park.
The Isotopes continue their weekend series against the Iowa Cubs, Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. The short homestand includes a slew of giveaways, as tomorrow fans will enjoy the Beanie Bear giveaway. Tickets can be purchased at Isotopes Park or any Ticketmaster outlet, www.ticketmaster.com, or Ticketmaster by phone 505-883-7800. For more information, visit www.albuquerquebaseball.com or call 505-924-2255.
Pacific Coast League Stories from July 12, 2008
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