PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Isotopes Fall to Express in Series Opener, 3-2

Published on June 2, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


After being held scoreless for 22 straight innings, the Albuquerque Isotopes (31-26) finally found the scoreboard, but couldn't score enough, falling 3-2 to the Round Rock Express (26-31) in the teams' series-opener Saturday night at Dell Diamond. The Isotopes have lost three games in a row and have dropped four of the last five on their current road trip.

Round Rock jumped out to a quick lead, plating a run in the bottom of the second in a two-out rally. After "˜Topes starter Fernando Nieve picked up two quick strikeouts, Joey Butler laced a double to right and was immediately picked up by a single from Val Majewski, putting the Express up 1-0.

Albuquerque was stymied for the first two innings by Major League veteran Roy Oswalt, but when the starter departed after two innings in which he allowed three hits and a walk while striking out one, the "˜Topes immediately went to work on Michael Kirkman in the third. With two down, Josh Fields lined a single center and stole second, putting the tying run in scoring position. Jeff Baisley then drew a walk, setting up Luis Cruz, who hammered a single to left, plating Fields and knotting the game at 1-1.

The Express grabbed the lead for good in the fourth when Butler walked and Michael Bianucci blasted a two-out, two-run homer to center, putting the home team on top 3-1.

The "˜Topes retaliated with a long ball of their own in the seventh, making it a one-run game courtesy of a lead-off blast by Brian Cavazos-Galvez that trimmed the deficit to 3-2.

That's as close as the Isotopes would get, however, as Aaron Heilman authored a perfect eighth and ninth to secure the 3-2 win.

Kirkman (5-1) earned the victory after pitching 5.0 innings in relief of Oswalt, allowing two runs on five hits while walking two and striking out three. Nieve (2-3) suffered a tough-luck loss after allowing three runs on six hits in 6.0 innings while walking one and striking out six. Heilman (1) earned the save.

The "˜Topes continue their series with the Express on Sunday with righty Will Savage (7-2, 4.45) on the mound for Albuquerque against Round Rock right-hander Neil Ramirez (5-5, 7.57). First pitch from Dell Diamond is 6:05 PM MT.

After four games against Round Rock, Triple-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, the "˜Topes are back home next Thursday, June 7 for a homestand that includes 50-Cent Hot Dog Night, a Skateboard deck giveaway, and fireworks. 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 .

Check out the Albuquerque Isotopes Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from June 2, 2012


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