PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Isotopes Drop Series Finale to Round Rock 5-2

Published on June 13, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


The Albuquerque Isotopes (37-30) gave up a two-run triple in the seventh that broke a 2-2 tie and paced the Round Rock Express (29-38) to a 5-2 victory on Wednesday night at Isotopes Park. With the loss, the 'Topes drop the series to Round Rock, their first home-series loss since May 17-20 against the Sacramento River Cats.

The Express snagged an early one-run lead with three consecutive singles from Yangervis Solarte, Ryan Spilborghs and Brad Nelson, the latter of which scored Solarte to put Round Rock up 1-0.

Albuquerque responded in the third with a leadoff double from Josh Bard, who advanced to third on sacrifice bunt from Trent Oeltjen. Jerry Sands followed with an RBI single up the middle, scoring Bard and knotting the contest 1-1. With his single, Sands now has hits in seven consecutive games, the longest such active streak for the Isotopes.

Round Rock continued the see-saw battle in the fourth, recapturing the lead when Tommy Mendonca reached on an error by Bard, advanced to second on a single from Luis Martinez and took third on a sac-bunt. Leonys Martin then poked an RBI single to left that plated Martinez and gave the visitors a 2-1 edge.

The small advantage didn't last long as Luis Cruz belted a leadoff triple in the 'Topes half of the inning, scoring on a ground out to second base from Josh Fields to tie the game 2-2.

'Topes starter Fernando Nieve (3-4) was solid throughout most of the night, allowing only two runs through six, before Round Rock got to the right-hander in the top of the seventh. Martin and Solarte led off the Express' rally with back-to-back singles, setting the stage for Spilborghs, who unleashed a two-run triple to right that gave Round Rock a 4-2 lead. Nieve was forced to retire from the contest after the blast, finishing the game with 6.0 innings of work while allowing four runs on 10 hits.

The Express added an insurance run in eighth when Greg Miclat ripped a two-out double to left, scoring one batter later on an RBI single from Martin to make it 5-2, Round Rock.

Albuquerque was unable to mount a comeback over the final two frames, as Round Rock reliever and former 'Tope Ross Wolf pitched a scoreless eighth and Aaron Heilman (2) slammed the door in the ninth to close out a 5-2 Express win.

The 'Topes hit the road tomorrow for a four-game set against the Iowa Cubs at Principal Park. Isotopes righty Will Savage (8-3, 4.57) will took to earn consecutive wins as he squares off against I-Cubs southpaw Brooks Raley (2-1, 4.09) at 6:05 PM MT.

After the short four-game road trip against the Iowa Cubs, the 'Topes will return Tuesday for an eight-game homestand against the New Orleans Zephyrs, Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins, and Nashville Sounds, Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. The upcoming home series features a rally towel giveaway, camo hat giveaway, fireworks and a live performance by Rally. 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 June 13, 2012


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