PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Isotopes Out-Slug Cubs 13-10

Published on June 18, 2011 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


With the help of a six-run second inning and a five-run fifth, the Albuquerque Isotopes (39-29) had enough offensive muscle to hold off the Iowa Cubs (30-38) in a 13-10 victory Friday night at Isotopes Park. With Round Rock's loss against Omaha, the Isotopes now hold a two-game advantage in the Pacific Coast League's American Southern Division, their largest lead of the season.

Leading the way for Albuquerque were Eugenio Velez (2-for-4, one run scored) and Jamie Hoffmann (2-for-4, HR, two runs scored), who each collected three RBI to pace the Isotopes. But it was really a collective effort for the home team, as eight of nine ‘Topes starters were able to tally at least one RBI on the night.

Iowa jumped ahead with a pair of runs in the top of the first inning, but the Isotopes responded with their first major offensive burst of the evening, which began with Trayvon Robinson drilling a 3-2 pitch over the wall in center field to cut the I-Cubs' lead to 2-1. Two batters later, Damaso Espino tripled to center and then came home on a Justin Sellers double that tied the contest at 2-2. ‘Topes starting pitcher John Ely followed with a walk, and after Sellers stole third base, Velez knocked in two runs with a triple to right-center. Now up 4-2, Albuquerque kept pouring it on with an RBI double from Ivan De Jesus, Jr. that plated Velez. That brought up Jay Gibbons, who brought home De Jesus, Jr. with a base hit that made it 6-2, ‘Topes.

The I-Cubs chopped their four-run deficit in half in the top of the third, however, plating a pair of runs on an RBI triple by Tyler Colvin and a run-scoring groundout by Bryan LaHair, bringing the Cubs back to within 6-4. Colvin would strike again in the top of the fifth, hitting a solo homer to left-center and pulling Iowa within one run, 6-5.

Albuquerque quickly got to work rebuilding its lead in the bottom half of the fifth. Gibbons led off the frame with a single and after a walk to Jerry Sands, Robinson singled to load the bases. That spelled the end of Iowa starting pitcher Jay Jackson, who gave way to reliever Marco Carrillo. But a new pitcher didn't help the visitors, as Jamie Hoffmann drew a walk to score Gibbons. Espino followed with a sacrifice fly, scoring Sands to make it 8-5, ‘Topes. Sellers continued the surge with a single up the middle that brought home Robinson before Ely laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt that scored Hoffmann and increased the Isotopes lead to 10-5. Finally Velez capped the inning with an RBI single, scoring Sellers and pushing the lead to 11-5.

The ‘Topes kept boosting their lead in the bottom of the sixth, when Hoffmann ripped a two-run homer to left to stretch Albuquerque's lead to 13-5.

Iowa would not go away quietly. With a man on first and two away, Welington Castillo blasted a two-run homer over the scoreboard in left-center to put Iowa within 13-7. Castillo would explode once more in the top of the ninth with a three-run homer off Adam Dedeaux, who replaced Ely with two on and two out in the frame. But with Albuquerque's lead down to 13-10, Dedeaux managed to slam the door two batters later and preserve a ‘Topes win.

Albuquerque will look for another victory against the I-Cubs on Saturday with righty Tim Sexton (3-0, 3.23) taking the hill for the ‘Topes against Cubs right-hander Austin Bibens-Dirkx (3-3, 6.79) in a 7:05 PM start from Isotopes Park.

The Isotopes' big Father's Day weekend rolls on with another spectacular fireworks show on Saturday before the team hosts a special pre-game father / child catch before Sunday's Father's Day contest. Also on tap for Sunday is a T-Shirt giveaway to the first 3,000 fans courtesy of Greystar. 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.albuquerquebaseball.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Check out the Albuquerque Isotopes Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from June 18, 2011


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