Isotopes Lose Slugfest to Z's, 14-10

May 9, 2005 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release

The Albuquerque Isotopes (14-17) wound up on the short end of a slugfest at Isotopes Park Monday afternoon as the visiting New Orleans Zephyrs (14-17) hammered their way to 14-10 victory in a game that featured 13 extra-base hits, including seven home runs. Joe Dillon paced the ‘Topes' offense with two home runs and five RBIs and was mirrored by Melvin Nieves, who had two homers and five RBIs for the Z's.

The Isotopes took a 7-5 lead into the eighth inning but couldn't hold on as New Orleans scored nine times over the last two innings to pick up the win. Matt Cepicky had four hits for the Zephyrs, all singles, and Brendan Harris recorded a triple, a home run, and five RBIs. Randy Messenger (1-1) was charged with the loss after allowing three runs in 1.1 innings of relief, while Josh Karp (1-0) picked up the win for New Orleans with two scoreless innings.

Dillon brought the Isotopes back from an early 2-0 deficit with a two-run homer in the bottom of the first before Albuquerque took its first two-run lead of the game in the third when Mark Little, who finished with three hits, hit his seventh homer of 2005. Dillon, who also hit a three-run homer in the ninth, has hit three home runs in his last two games and four in his last five.

The ‘Topes made it 5-2 with a sacrifice fly by Josh Wilson in the fourth, but the Zephyrs came back to tie the contest with three runs in the following frame; all coming on a three-run homer by Nieves. Albuquerque took its second two-run lead in the sixth thanks to an RBI-single by Larry Barnes and a sacrifice fly by Jason Wood but couldn't sustain it.

The ‘Topes will continue their 12-game homestand when they welcome the Portland Beavers to Isotopes Park Tuesday night at 7:05. Right-handed pitcher Frank Castillo (3-2, 3.79) is scheduled to start for Albuquerque against Beavers righty Tim Stauffer (2-0, 2.33). Tickets for all ‘Topes games are available at the Isotopes Park Box Office, at local Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com, and Ticketmaster by phone at 883-7800.

Pacific Coast League Stories from May 9, 2005

• Community heroes to be recognized during Bank of America Day at Tucson Electric Park on July 3rd - Tucson Sidewinders
• Isotopes Lose Slugfest to Z's, 14-10 - Albuquerque Isotopes
• Action-packed homestand includes fireworks, BirdZerk! and all-around family fun - Fresno Grizzlies
• Beavers postponed on Monday due to rain - Portland Beavers
• Hart's homer in ninth breaks hearts of Royals fans - Omaha Storm Chasers
• Sounds Open Homestand At Greer On Tuesday - Nashville Sounds
• 9th-Inning Hart Blast Propels Sounds Past Omaha - Nashville Sounds
• Stauffer promoted to San Diego - Portland Beavers
• Salute To Duck Tape Night highlights middle portion of 'Topes 12-pack - Albuquerque Isotopes
• Portland's Knott unties knot with eighth-inning blast - Colorado Springs Sky Sox

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