PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Isotopes Rally Late, Fall Short, 3-2, at Iowa

Published on June 17, 2006 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


Mike Kinkade had two hits, a run and an RBI, but a late Albuquerque Isotopes (38-32) rally wasn't enough as the Iowa Cubs (31-37) claimed a 3-2 victory over the ‘Topes for the second-straight night at Principal Park.

Kinkade drove in the first Albuquerque run in the first inning and after Iowa answered back and took a 3-1 lead, Kinkade scored a run in the eighth to bring the ‘Topes to within one. Albuquerque put the tying run on third in the ninth, but the ‘Topes couldn't get him home, dropping their fifth-straight.

Isotopes starter Chris George (1-1) did enough to keep the ‘Topes within striking distance over his 5.2 innings of work. George allowed three runs on five hits, striking out two with six walks. The ‘Topes bullpen was effective, as Ross Wolf finished up the sixth inning for George, and Franklyn German and Brad Clontz tossed scoreless seventh and eighth innings, respectively.

I-Cubs starter and former ‘Topes hurler Les Walrond (7-2) gave the home team seven strong innings of work, scattering a run on seven hits. Walrond walked two and struck out three. Scott Williamson came on to allow a run on a hit in the eighth, and Kerry Ligtenberg finished things up with a scoreless ninth, earning the save.

Albuquerque got on the board first, using a two-out hit to take the early lead. Eric Reed led off the ballgame with a triple to right and after back-to-back strikeouts, Kinkade singled to right and knocked in Reed to put the Isotopes on top, 1-0.

An inning later, the I-Cubs got to George for the first time. Casey McGehee took George deep to left, a solo shot that tied the score, 1-1.

Iowa resorted to small ball to take a lead and augment it in the following innings. An RBI single in the fourth by Geovany Soto put the I-Cubs on top 2-1. In the fifth, Iowa struck again, this time using a run-scoring single by Luis Montanez to push the lead to 3-1.

The lead stood that way until the eighth-after Walrnond's exit-when the ‘Topes got to the Iowa bullpen. Again going with two outs, Scott Seabol lined a single over the out-stretched glove of Cubs third baseman McGehee and into left field off reliever Williamson, scoring Kinkade from second to bring the Isotopes to within a run, 3-2.

In the ninth, Paul Hoover led off the frame with a bunt single that trickled off the bare hand of a diving Ligtenberg, putting the tying run on first base with no one out. Matt Cepicky followed with a deep fly out to center for the first Isotope out of the inning. Eric Reed hit a broken-bat pop out to second for the second out, but Mark Little kept the inning alive with a bloop base hit, moving Hoover to third. Robert Andino couldn't keep it going, though, grounding out to end the ballgame.

The series is set to continue on Sunday afternoon at 12:05 p.m. MT. Matt Blank (2-1, 5.09) takes the baseball for Albuquerque, while Iowa counters with Jerome Williams (2-3, 4.43).

Albuquerque returns home on June 26 for an eight-game homestand against Omaha and Memphis. 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

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



Pacific Coast League Stories from June 17, 2006


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