PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Isotopes Rally For Victory, 8-6

Published on July 13, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


Down by four going into the bottom of the fourth, the Albuquerque Isotopes (41-56) mounted a five-run rally to claim an 8-6 triumph over the Iowa Cubs (60-39) Sunday night at Isotopes Park. Tagg Bozied led the offensive charge for the Isotopes by collecting four hits and scoring two runs, while Isotopes starter Dallas Trahern earned his first victory at The Lab after pitching five innings in which he scattered seven hits and allowed four runs.

Felix Pie slapped a one-out double to right field and sprinted to third following a single to right by Luis Figueroa. With two men on, Micah Hoffpauir crushed the first pitch thrown to him over the right field fence for a three-run homer that gave the I-Cubs an initial lead, 3-0.

Matt Craig led the fourth inning off for Iowa by lacing a double to left field for Cubs starter Justin Berg, who reached on a bunt single up the third base line while Craig sprinted to third. Andres Blanco then grounded into a fielder's choice that plated Craig to extend Iowa's advantage to four, 4-0.

A Dallas McPherson walk in the bottom of the fourth sparked a heretofore dormant 'Topes offense. McPherson immediately stole second and then raced for third after Bozied blooped a single to shallow center field. With runners on the corners, Andrew Beattie cracked a line-drive double deep into the right-center field gap that cleared the bases as Albuquerque cut the lead in half, 4-2. Alberto Concepcion continued the hit parade by lacing a double to left that drove in Beattie as the 'Topes narrowed the once mighty lead to one, 4-3. Starter Dallas Trahern extended the inning with a single to left field while Concepcion safely reached third. Tommy Murphy hit a grounder to short that was tailor made for a double play, but a great take out slide by Trahern broke it up and allowed Concepcion to score the tying run, 4-4. Murphy used his speed to create chaos by stealing second, then advanced to third after the ball thrown by Cubs catcher Koyie Hill sailed into center field. Chris Barnwell then crushed a double past the shortstop that drove in Murphy and gave the Isotopes the lead, 5-4.

Albuquerque continued to put pressure on the I-Cubs in the fifth when Bozied singled to right field for Lorenzo Scott who lined a double to left field that scored Bozied for the Isotopes sixth run, 6-4, as Scott continued to third on the play when the relay throw went home. Concepcion knocked in his second RBI of the game by singling up the middle, giving the 'Topes a three-run lead, 7-4.

Matt Craig led off the sixth inning for the Cubs by doubling to right field to set up Hill, who drove in Craig with a single to right-center field as Iowa inched back, 7-5, but the Isotopes reclaimed their three-run lead in the sixth when Murphy hit a leadoff single then slid into third after Barnwell singled up the middle. John Gall then plated Murphy with an RBI ground out, making the score 8-5.

Iowa battled back in the eighth when Josh Kroeger singled to right-center field then scampered into second after Hill singled to right. With the tying run stepping up to the plate and two outs, Bobby Scales hit a line drive to right that drove in Kroeger as Iowa brought the game back to within two runs, 8-6.

That would be the final chance the Cubs would have to threaten the Isotopes, as Marc Gwyn (S, 5) shut down Iowa in order in the ninth to secure the 8-6 Albuquerque victory.

Tomorrow the Isotopes and Cubs square off in the finale of the series as Albuquerque turns to right hander Daniel Barone (0-3, 14.40) takes the mound against Iowa righty Jeff Samardzija (3-1, 3.55) with first pitch scheduled for 12:05 PM at Isotopes Park. Tomorrow's game can be heard on 1050 KTBL-AM with Robert Portnoy calling the action.

Monday, the Isotopes finish up their weekend series against the Iowa Cubs, Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs with a 12:05 PM Business Person Special. The short homestand concludes its slew of giveaways, as fans will enjoy an Isotopes Rally Towel. Tickets can be purchased at Isotopes Park or any Ticketmaster outlet, www.ticketmaster.com, or Ticketmaster by phone 505-883-7800. For more information, visit www.albuquerquebaseball.com or call 505-924-2255.

Check out the Albuquerque Isotopes Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Pacific Coast League Stories from July 13, 2008


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.

OurSports Central