Isotopes Flip Script against Bielak, Space Cowboys in 8-5 Victory
June 3, 2022 - Pacific Coast League (PCL)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release
Sugar Land, TX - When the Isotopes hosted Sugar Land last month, they had a very difficult time figuring out Space Cowboys pitcher Brandon Bielak. The right-hander threw a combined nine innings with four hits and one run allowed in two appearances at the expense of Albuquerque, but Thursday night was a different story.
The Topes were able to pounce on Bielak for five runs in three innings, while their starting pitcher Brandon Gold was sharp, firing six innings of three-run ball to lead Albuquerque (22-29) past Sugar Land (20-31) by a final score of 8-5 at Constellation Field..
The visitors set the tone in the first inning. Sean Bouchard belted a one-out triple before Bielak was unable to handle a comebacker from Carlos Pérez with two outs, allowing Albuquerque to take a 1-0 lead on the miscue. After a double by Wynton Bernard was followed by a walk, Bret Boswell came through with a two-out, two-run single to make it 3-0.
Sugar Land immediately threatened in the home first by greeting Topes starter Gold with back-to-back singles, but Gold buckled down. Facing the heart of the Space Cowboys lineup, Gold proceeded to fan Pedro Leon, J.J. Matijevic and David Hensley, stranding a pair on base.
Albuquerque was able to reach Bielak again in the third. Pérez was plunked to lead off the inning before Boswell drew out a two-out walk, and both scored on a double off the left-field wall by LJ Hatch for a 5-0 advantage.
Gold ran into trouble in the bottom of the third as Franklin Barreto led off with a solo homer, putting the Space Cowboys on the board. Alex De Goti followed with a single before Korey Julks launched his second blast of the series, a two-run homer that brought the hosts within 5-3.
The Isotopes starter was at his best towards the end of his outing, retiring 10 of the final 11 batters he faced while setting his season-high with seven punchouts.
With the score still 5-3, Justin Lawrence struck out the first two hitters in the eighth but then loaded the bases on a single and pair of walks, which led Isotopes manager Warren Schaeffer to call on Zach Lee. Scott Manea greeted Lee with a single to score one run, but Bernard came up firing and nailed Korey Lee at the plate with a one-hop throw as Albuquerque remained in front by a run.
The Isotopes immediately capitalized on the momentum and plated insurance in the ninth. Elehuris Montero led off with a single before Carlos Pérez hammered a two-run shot to center, his eighth of the season. Later in the frame, Boswell made it 8-4 with a base hit, his third RBI of the contest.
Topes Scope: - Gold delivered Albuquerque's fifth quality start of the season, and second in the last four games as Riley Smith also allowed three runs in six frames on May 29 vs. Round Rock. It was Gold's first quality start since Aug. 5, 2021, when he gave up one run in six innings vs. Oklahoma City.
- Gold picked up his most strikeouts in a game since fanning eight El Paso Chihuahuas on July 25, 2021.
- Lee earned his first save as a professional in his 268th career appearance. He did allow a run in the ninth inning, just his second earned run given up over his last 11 appearances as he compiled a 0.96 ERA in May.
- The Isotopes have scored 47 runs in the first inning this season, and tonight was the 24th game they have scored in the opening frame. It was the 13th instance of a multi-run first inning.
- Bouchard's triple was his third of the season. His previous two came in the same contest on April 17 vs. Tacoma.
- Montero is 12-for-27 with three homers and eight RBI over his last six games. Tonight was his 15th multi-hit game of the season, good for second on the club.
- Bernard maintained his team lead with his 16th multi-hit game of the season and remained a perfect 12-for-12 in stolen base attempts when he swiped third in the ninth. He is now 35-for-37 on the bases in an Isotopes uniform dating back to 2021.
- When Pérez was hit by a pitch in the third inning, it extended his on-base streak to a team-high 17 games, dating back to April 27 vs. Sacramento.
- Hatch was on base three times (two hits and a walk). He has reached safely in 23 of his 53 plate appearances for a .434 on-base percentage.
- Gold's 7.2 scoreless inning streak against Sugar Land was snapped on Barreto's homer in the third. He worked 5.2 innings without giving up a run at home against the Space Cowboys on May 13.
- An Albuquerque starting pitcher allowed multiple home runs in an outing for the 12th time this season; Gold has done so twice.
- Cozart has worked 4.1 scoreless innings over his last four outings, lowering his ERA from 14.73 to 10.57.
On Deck: The Isotopes will attempt to even the six-game series tomorrow night. Right-handed pitcher Ashton Goudeau is scheduled to start for Albuquerque in his first Triple-A appearance this season against Space Cowboys righty Peter Solomon. First pitch from Constellation Field is set for 6:05 p.m. MT.
Pacific Coast League Stories from June 3, 2022
- Round Rock Suffers 10-4 Loss to Oklahoma City - Round Rock Express
- Dodgers Win Over Round Rock Express - Oklahoma City Comets
- El Paso Defeats Salt Lake - El Paso Chihuahuas
- Comeback Falls Short for Salt Lake on Friday Night - Salt Lake Bees
- Tacoma Rainiers Game Notes: at Reno (6:35 p.m. PT) - Tacoma Rainiers
- Space Cowboys Game Notes vs. ABQ - Sugar Land Space Cowboys
- OKC Dodgers Game Notes - June 3, 2022 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Salt Lake Bees Sweep PCL Monthly Honors - Salt Lake Bees
- Dodgers Use Big Second to Pull away from Round Rock - Oklahoma City Comets
- Krizan, Padlo Homer but 5-Run 5th Hands River Cats 4th Straight Defeat - Sacramento River Cats
- Sheffield Shoves, Rainiers Romp 7-0 at Reno - Tacoma Rainiers
- Reno's Offense Stymied in 7-0 Shutout Loss to Tacoma - Reno Aces
- El Paso Wins Over Salt Lake in 10 Innings - El Paso Chihuahuas
- Bees Downed in Extra Innings by Chihuahuas - Salt Lake Bees
- Oklahoma City Handles Round Rock 6-2 on Thursday Night - Round Rock Express
- Corey Julks Continues Power Tear for Space Cowboys - Sugar Land Space Cowboys
- Isotopes Flip Script against Bielak, Space Cowboys in 8-5 Victory - Albuquerque Isotopes
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
