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PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Isotopes Find Runs Early in 13-6 Win Over Iowa

April 18, 2012 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


The Albuquerque Isotopes (5-8) have felt the sting of letting a lead slip away lately, but this time the 'Topes turned it around on the Iowa Cubs (7-6), overcoming an early 3-0 deficit in the first inning to capture a 13-6 victory on Tuesday night at Isotopes Park.

'Topes starter, Stephen Fife (1-2), was roughed up right out of the gate as he allowed three runs beginning with a triple to center field from Brett Jackson, who then scored himself on a single from Luis Valbuena. Adrian Cardenas continued the onslaught for Iowa with a single to right field, scoring Valbuena, and the Cubs tacked on one more for good measure with a single to left-center from Blake Lalli, scoring Anthony Rizzo to make it 3-0 after the top of the first.

Albuquerque had an answer of their own from a triple in the bottom of the first by Alex Castellanos, who leads all of the Pacific Coast League in triples (4) and extra-base hits (13). The second baseman was driven in when Jerry Sands ripped a liner to right field and Sands was later scored on a single through the hole at shortstop from Scott Van Slyke to make the score 3-2. With two outs, the inning was kept alive on a missed catch error by first baseman Rizzo, allowing Josh Fields to score and Van Slyke to add another run after being driven in by a Luis Cruz single to left-center. Fife made up some of the ground he lost pitching in the first inning by poking a double to shallow left, scoring Tim Federowicz and Cruz. After the frame, which lasted nearly an hour, the "˜Topes enjoyed a 6-3 advantage.

Castellanos continued to bulk up his stats after getting on first when he was hit by a pitch. The second baseman stole second and third base before touching homeplate on a sacrifice fly by Fields, bumping the 'Topes lead up one more to 7-3 after two innings.

Iowa attempted to mount a comeback in the third when a pair of singles from Valbuena and Rizzo put two men on for a run-scoring double to right-center from Cardenas. Rizzo followed Valbuena, adding another run to the Cubs tally when he scored on a ground out to the right side from Lalli, bringing Iowa within two runs, 7-5 after three frames.

The Cubs were held in check throughout the rest of the game as Isotopes relief pitching held their own to only allow a single run in the sixth inning, when pinch hitter Edgar Gonzalez roped a triple off Fife, scoring Vitters and closing the gap, 7-6 in the top of the sixth.

Not letting the Cubs hang around, Albuquerque tacked on six additional runs throughout the game, including two in the sixth from a Cruz home run to center field, one in the seventh when Castellanos scored on a passed ball, and three more in the eighth on a three-run shot from Castellanos. The second baseman scored four times tonight with three RBI, as the 'Topes held on for the win, 13-6.

Albuquerque owns the first game of this home series, 1-0, and the teams will square off again tomorrow at 6:35 PM at Isotopes Park. 'Topes righty, Fernando Nieve (1-1, 14.09) will get the ball against Iowa right-hander Jay Jackson (1-0, 4.66).

The Isotopes' opening homestand continues on Wednesday, April 18 at 6:35 PM and team posters will be given to the first 3,000 fans in attendance. 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 online at www.abqisotopes.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 18, 2012


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