PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Isotopes' Season Ends with 7-5 Loss to Express

Published on September 5, 2011 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


The Albuquerque Isotopes (70-74) saw a seventh-inning lead disappear as the Round Rock Express (87-57) rallied to take a 7-5 victory on a Labor Day Monday matinee at The Dell Diamond. The ‚¬ËœTopes' 2011 season ends with a series sweep to the Express and five straight losses, yet Albuquerque will finish the season in second place in the PCL's American Southern Division.

After Round Rock plated a run in the first on an RBI double by former ‚¬ËœTope Nick Green, John Lindsey knotted the contest with one swing of the bat in the top of the fourth, blasting a solo homer to left to tie the game at 1-1.

Albuquerque grabbed a short-lived lead in the sixth when Jamie Hoffmann smashed a one-out double, advanced to third on a groundout, and scored on hot shot from Damaso Espino that deflected off the forearm of Express pitcher Michael Kirkman, putting the ‚¬ËœTopes on top 2-1.

The Express immediately answered in the bottom of the sixth to take the advantage right back. With the bases loaded and two out, Joey Butler roped a single to center, scoring a pair and giving Round Rock a 3-2 cushion.

Ultimately, the contest was decided in the seventh, when the Isotopes grabbed a lead only to immediately relinquish it. Bryant Hernandez led off the frame by getting hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a walk to Brad Coon, putting two on with no out for Ivan De Jesus Jr., who lined a double to left, scoring Hernandez and tying the game at 3-3. After an RBI groundout by Jay Gibbons gave the ‚¬ËœTopes the lead, Lindsey added a single to center, scoring De Jesus and extending the Isotopes advantage to 5-3.

Round Rock responded in the bottom of the frame in a rally started by a fielding miscue by Hernandez at shortstop that allowed Jose Ruiz to reach first in front of a walk to Guilder Rodriguez. Matt Kata then smashed a double to center, scoring Ruiz and bringing the Express to within 5-4. An RBI groundout from Luis Cruz tied the game before an RBI single by Val Majewski gave the home team a 6-5 edge. Things got worse for the ‚¬ËœTopes, as Butler reached on an error at second by De Jesus that loaded the bases with two out. Albuquerque reliever Joe Newby then hit Kevin Cash with a pitch, forcing in a run and extending the lead to 7-5 Express.

That was enough for Round Rock relievers Tanner Scheppers and Cody Eppley, who finished off the Isotopes in the eighth and ninth to secure the 7-5 win and wrap up the first series sweep of the Isotopes by the Express since 2008.

The Isotopes' 2011 season is over, but that doesn't mean there won't be more baseball this year in the Duke City. The Triple-A Baseball National Championship Game comes to Albuquerque on Tuesday, September 20, pitting the winner of the Pacific Coast League playoffs against the playoff winner in the International League in a one-game, winner-take-all showdown. In addition to the game, there will also be a pre-game autograph session with Dodgers legends Steve Garvey, Ron Cey, and Bill Russell, a fleece blanket giveaway courtesy Sandia Resort, and a post-game fireworks extravaganza. Tickets 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 September 5, 2011


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