Isotopes Prevail in 11-Inning Thriller at Sugar Land, 8-7
June 4, 2022 - Pacific Coast League (PCL)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release
Sugar Land, TX - The Isotopes would not be denied Friday night. Trailing 6-4 at Sugar Land in the eighth inning, Albuquerque plated two runs to tie the game before scoring a single tally in each of their at-bats in extra innings. The Topes were able to hang on for an 8-7 victory over the Space Cowboys, evening the six-game set at two wins apiece.
Down by two in the eighth, Albuquerque (23-29) had runners on the corners with two outs for D.J. Peterson, who had already connected on a three-run homer earlier in the contest. Peterson came through with an RBI single, then Bret Boswell swiped home on the back end of a double steal, tying it at 6.
J.D. Hammer relieved Zach Neal and stranded two runners on base in the home eighth, then worked a scoreless ninth to send the game to extras.
Boswell gave the Isotopes a 7-6 lead in the 10th with an RBI double, but Korey Lee brought in a run with a two-bagger of his own in the bottom half, enabling Sugar Land (20-32) to extend it one more frame.
With Coco Montes on third base with two outs in the 11th, Space Cowboys reliever Ronel Blanco spiked a pitch in the dirt. Montes alertly sprinted home with the go-ahead run to again put Albuquerque up by a tally.
Logan Cozart took over for the Topes in the bottom of the 11th and struck out the first two batters before issuing a walk, putting the potential winning run on first. Cozart then induced Scott Manea to hit a ground ball to short, where Montes fielded and threw to first to end the game.
The Space Cowboys quickly got on the board in the first inning, as Corey Julks and rehabbing Astros utility player Taylor Jones each launched a solo home run off Ashton Goudeau.
Albuquerque had an immediate answer in the second. Sean Bouchard and Montes stroked singles before Peterson clobbered an opposite field three-run homer over the right-center field wall, giving his club a 3-2 lead.
Goudeau settled down after the rocky beginning, retiring nine of the final 10 hitters he faced. He was removed after 3.1 frames with his pitch count at 59.
Nate Griep took over for Goudeau but loaded the bases with two outs in the fourth, prompting manager Warren Schaeffer to bring in Heath Holder. Pedro Leon greeted Holder with a single to plate one run, but left fielder Boswell kept the game tied by throwing out Alex De Goti trying to score from second base on the play.
The Isotopes went back in front in the fifth when Carlos Pérez's double-play grounder was enough to score Wynton Bernard, who led off the inning by reaching on an error. However, Alex De Goti launched a three-run homer off Neal in the sixth, making it 6-4 in favor of Sugar Land.
Topes Scope: - The Isotopes have won consecutive road games for just the second time this season. They previously earned three straight road victories from April 24-May 5, the finale at Round Rock then the first two at Oklahoma City in the following away series.
- Albuquerque won a road game when trailing in the seventh inning or later for the first time since Aug. 14, 2021 at Sugar Land.
- Tonight was the Isotopes first extra-inning victory since July 20, 2021 vs. Sugar Land; the last time it had happened on the road was June 21, 2021 at Reno.
- Peterson registered his first four-RBI game since Sept. 2, 2021, when he was playing for the Cleburne Railroaders against the Houston Apollos in the American Association.
- Infielder Alan Trejo (currently on the Injured List) was ejected after the top of the first inning for arguing a safe/out call on a double play hit into by Pérez. It was Albuquerque's fifth ejection of the season and first since Bernard was tossed disputing balls and strikes in Oklahoma City on May 8.
- Three notable on-base streaks were extended tonight: Montero to 10 consecutive contests, Bouchard to 15 in a row, and Pérez extended his team-high on-base streak to 18 games.
- Montero now has a personal season-best eight-game hit streak dating back to May 26 vs. Round Rock. During the stretch, he is batting .400 (14-for-35) with a double, three homers and nine RBI.
- Boswell is 7-for-15 with four RBI in the first four games against Sugar Land.
- Montes snapped an 0-for-14 skid with a single in the second inning; it was his first hit since homering last Saturday against Round Rock.
- Dom Nuñez doubled in the fifth inning, his first extra-base hit at Triple-A this season in what was his 54th at-bat. It was just his second extra-base hit of 2022; he also doubled on April 20 vs. Philadelphia.
- Bernard was caught stealing in the 10th, just the third time he has been thrown out on a stolen base attempt in an Albuquerque uniform dating back to the start of last season (35-for-38).
- Cozart has not allowed a run in his last five outings, spanning 5.1 innings. He has dropped his season ERA from 14.73 to 9.92 during the stretch. This was his first save since Sept. 2, 2021 for Albuquerque at Oklahoma City.
- Goudeau's two homers surrendered marked the 13th time this season an Albuquerque starting pitcher gave up multiple long balls; it occurred for the second-straight night and third time in five games.
- Heath Holder allowed just his second inherited runner to score (out of 31 total) dating back to the start of last season with the Topes.
- Boswell registered his first outfield assist of the season, and it was the second-straight night an Albuquerque outfielder threw out a Sugar Land runner attempting to score from second on a single. Bernard did so from center field yesterday.
On Deck: Albuquerque will send right-handed pitcher Riley Smith to the mound tomorrow as they look for a third-straight win. Sugar Land will counter with fellow righty Brett Conine. First pitch from Constellation Field is set for 5:05 p.m. MT.
Pacific Coast League Stories from June 4, 2022
- Tacoma Rainiers Game Notes: at Reno (6:35 p.m. PT) - Tacoma Rainiers
- Reno Rolls Past Rainiers 6-2 on Saturday - Tacoma Rainiers
- Dodgers Lose to Express - Oklahoma City Comets
- Bees Squander Late Lead for Third Consecutive Loss to Chihuahuas - Salt Lake Bees
- Pozo Pushes Round Rock Past Oklahoma City 5-2 - Round Rock Express
- JJ Matijevic and Pedro León Blast Homers for Space Cowboys - Sugar Land Space Cowboys
- Isotopes Beat Space Cowboys, 8-5, for Third-Straight Win - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Space Cowboys Game Notes, 6.4 vs. ABQ - Sugar Land Space Cowboys
- OKC Dodgers Game Notes - June 4, 2022 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Tom Plates 5, River Cats Drop 5th straight - Sacramento River Cats
- Aces Deal Rainiers Rare Road Loss on Friday - Tacoma Rainiers
- Martin's Quality Start & Fletcher's Four Hits Propels Aces to 8-3 Win over Rainiers - Reno Aces
- Taylor Jones Homers in First Game of Rehab Assignment - Sugar Land Space Cowboys
- Isotopes Prevail in 11-Inning Thriller at Sugar Land, 8-7 - 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.
