PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Isotopes Fall by Late Rally

Published on June 8, 2013 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


METAIRIE, La. -- Jake Smolinksi doubled in the eighth inning to left field, and when Tony Gwynn, Jr. mishandled the ball, Jordan Brown scored from first base to lift the New Orleans Zephyrs to a 3-2 win over the Albuquerque Isotopes on Saturday night.

Zephyrs closer Chris Hatcher walked leadoff batter Matt Angle in the ninth, and Dee Gordon bunted him to second base, but Hatcher struck out Justin Sellers and Gwynn to preserve the victory. It was Hatcher's 19th save, the most in all of minor league baseball.

Isotopes starting pitcher Matt Palmer didn't allow a run through five innings, then Matt Downs singled and Bryan Peterson hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning. It was Peterson's second home run of the series, and he's driven in five of the Zephyrs' seven runs.

Zephyrs starting pitcher Duane Below allowed two runs in six-plus innings. The Topes scored a run in the first when Gordon singled on the game's first pitch, went to second on a single by Sellers, to third on a groundout by Gwynn, and scored on Alex Castellanos' grounder to short.

In the seventh, the second double of the game by Brian Barden chased Below. Three batters, Sellers hit a sacrifice fly to left off eventual winning pitcher Jonathan Albaladejo (2-2) to tie the game at 2-2.

The Topes had other chances to score. The leadoff hitter reached base in six of the ninth innings. They stranded 10 on base. Gordon played his first game at second base. He made the pivot on two 6-4-3 double plays. Gordon had two hits, including a bunt single, plus a sac bunt, a walk, and he stole his 17th base of the season.

Albuquerque (32-30) has alternated a win and loss in eight straight games. New Orleans (30-31) has won six of its last eight games.

The finale of the four-game series is Sunday. Both teams' starting pitchers are undecided. First pitch is at 1pm Mountain Time. Catch all of the action on 610 AM "The Sports Animal" with Josh Suchon on the call.

Tickets are on sale now at the Isotopes Park Box Office, at Ticketmaster outlets, through Ticketmaster by phone at (800) 745-3000, or online at www.abqisotopes.com or www.ticketmaster.com. For information, please call (505) 924-2255.

Check out the Albuquerque Isotopes Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from June 8, 2013


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