PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Isotopes lose early lead, fall 10-8 to Sounds in 11

August 30, 2006 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


Edgar Gonzalez hit a sacrifice fly in the ninth to force extra innings, but a two-run Nashville burst in the 11th frame was enough for the Sounds (75-64) to take a 10-8 victory over the Albuquerque Isotopes (66-71) in 11 innings Wednesday night at Isotopes Park.

Trailing 8-7 with two on and one out in the bottom of the ninth, Gonzalez crushed an Alec Zumwalt offering deep to left. The ball nearly left the yard, almost resulting in a walk-off homer for Gonzalez. As it turned out, though, Nashville left fielder Drew Anderson snatched the ball leaning up against the wall, deep enough for Jason Wood to score from third and tie the game at 8-8.

Both teams went quietly in the 10th, but Nashville capitalized on a pair of Isotopes miscues in the 11th. Chad Moeller reached on a fielding error by Wood to lead off the inning. He would go to second on a sacrifice bunt, putting the go-ahead run in scoring position with one out. Tony Gwynn promptly followed with a single to right, chasing home Moeller for the 9-8 Sounds lead. Gwynn tried to stretch his single into two bases as the ball was thrown back into the infield. ‘Topes first baseman Tom Wilson cut the ball off and made an errant throw to second in an attempt to cut down Gwynn. The ball rolled into centerfield and Gwynn came around to score the second unearned run of the inning.

Wood reached on a single in the home half of the 11th, but he was erased on a game-ending double play by Eric Reed.

The hard-luck loser for the ‘Topes was Josh Stewart (1-3), who came on in the 11th and surrendered two unearned runs. Starter Adam Bostick lasted five innings, allowing four runs-three earned-on eight hits. Bostick walked four and punched out five.

The win went to Dennis Sarfate (10-7), who kept the ‘Topes quiet over both extra innings. He allowed a hit and struck out four in a scoreless effort. Starter Ben Hendrickson allowed six runs on 10 hits over six innings. Hendrickson walked one and struck out a pair.

Mark Little paced the ‘Topes on the offensive end with three hits, two RBI and a run scored, including a two-run triple in the second. That triple put Albuquerque up 2-0 and was followed immediately by a Paul Hoover two-run home run that increased the lead to 4-0. The Sounds rallied back and trailed by just a run entering the home half of the seventh. Chris Aguila padded the Albuquerque lead, however, with a solo shot to left for a 7-5 lead. Things came undone for the Isotopes in the eighth, though, when reliever J.B. Miadich allowed three runs and saw a lead evaporate into an 8-7 deficit. Gonzalez would send the game into extra innings, but the Albuquerque bullpen couldn't hold on and the ‘Topes dropped their second game in the series.

The ‘Topes will face the Sounds one final time on Thursday night at Isotopes Park. Right-hander Jeff Fulchino (5-10, 4.35) takes his turn for Albuquerque, while the Sounds are set to counter with lefty Zach Jackson (4-5, 3.79). First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. MT.

On Thursday, the first 3,000 fans through the turnstiles will receive a free mini-bat, courtesy of Cricket Communications. A number of exciting promotions remain on the last homestand of the 2006 season for the Isotopes. Several giveaways, two fireworks shows, two Fan Appreciation games and more are still to come. Tickets can be purchased at the Isotopes Park Box Office, www.albuquerquebaseball.com, Ticketmaster outlets, or at www.ticketmaster.com. For more information, please call (505) 924-2255.

Check out the Albuquerque Isotopes Statistics



Pacific Coast League Stories from August 30, 2006


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