Isotopes Seize First Place with 6-3 Win Over Express
Published on June 7, 2011 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release
For the first time since April 13, the Albuquerque Isotopes (33-25) are in first place in the Pacific Coast League's American Southern Division thanks to a 6-3 win over the Round Rock Express (33-26) Tuesday night at The Dell Diamond. With the victory, the Isotopes have now won five of their last six on their just-concluded road trip and have earned a four-game series win away from Isotopes Park for the first time this season.
Albuquerque served notice early that it had designs on leap-frogging the Express, scoring a run in the top of the first when Eugenio Velez smacked the first pitch of the game for a lead-off triple and scored on an RBI groundout by Jamie Hoffmann to take a 1-0 lead.
The Isotopes extended the advantage in the second, when Trayvon Robinson hammered a one-out solo homer to left, extending his current hitting streak to 10 games and making the score 2-0 Albuquerque.
The long ball served the ¬ËTopes in the fourth as well. John Lindsey led off the inning with a solo home run, only to be immediately followed by J.D. Closser, who smashed another homer to give the Isotopes their first back-to-back dingers of the 2011 season and a 4-0 lead. Lindsey finished the night with three hits and Closser added a team-high two RBI to help lead the ¬ËTopes' offensive attack.
Round Rock finally got on the board in the bottom of the fifth, when Matt Kata led off the inning with a single and was immediately was cashed in by a two-run homer by Doug Deeds to instantly cut the ¬ËTopes' lead to 4-2.
Albuquerque tacked on a pair of key insurance runs in the eighth. After back-to-back singles by Velez and Hoffmann, Trent Oeltjen dropped a picture-perfect bunt down the third base line for a base hit that loaded the bases. Lindsey hit into a double-play that sent home Velez before Closser delivered a clutch, two-out single that plated Hoffmann and increased the lead to 6-2.
The Express would mount one last furious rally in the bottom of the ninth, loading the bases with two out for Joey Butler, who drew a walk from ¬ËTopes reliever Jon Link to cut the deficit to 6-3. With the tying run now at the plate, Link coaxed Esteban German into a pop-out to Velez at second to seal the 6-3 triumph. The ninth was a microcosm of missed opportunity for Round Rock, who left 16 men on the base in the contest, including stranding the bases loaded in the fifth, the seventh, and the ninth.
Starter Tim Sexton (2-0) was solid for the second straight start for the ¬ËTopes, pitching 5.1 innings in which he yielded two runs on seven hits while walking two and striking out three to earn his second straight Triple-A victory.
The first-place Isotopes will get a day off on Wednesday before returning home on Thursday for a four-game series against the Nashville Sounds, Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. Righty Tim Redding (2-5, 5.52) will take the mound for Albuquerque against Sounds right-hander Mark DiFelice (1-1, 2.29) in a 7:05 PM MT start from Isotopes Park.
After their well-earned day off, the Isotopes are back home this Thursday, for a four-game homestand that may be compact, but it's loaded with promotions, including a rally towel giveaway, Myron Noodleman's first appearance at The Lab this year, and another spectacular post-game fireworks show. 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.
Pacific Coast League Stories from June 7, 2011
- Sky Sox Tally Seven Home Runs in 12-9 Victory Over Sacramento - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Chasers Rally in Ninth to Down Cubs - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Isotopes Seize First Place with 6-3 Win Over Express - Albuquerque Isotopes
- I-Cubs Fall Late, 8-6 - Iowa Cubs
- Round Rock Express Relinquish Division Lead - Round Rock Express
- Zephyrs Edge Sounds to Avoid Sweep - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Round Rock Express - Game Notes Vs. Albuquerque Isotopes - Round Rock Express
- Luna Home Run in 12th Completes Sweep for Redbirds - Oklahoma City Comets
- Sounds End Winning Streak with 5-4 Loss in New Orleans - Nashville Sounds
- Family Campout and Bark in the Ballpark on Deck for River Cats - Sacramento River Cats
- Bees Announce 2011 Knothole Club Player Clinic Dates - Salt Lake Bees
- RedHawks Make Roster Moves - Oklahoma City Comets
- RedHawks Game Notes - Oklahoma City Comets
- One to Forget for Padres - Tucson Padres
- Tough Call Seals Fresno's Fate - Fresno Grizzlies
- Aces Jump on Bees Early, Coast to 7-4 Win - Reno Aces
- Sky Sox Drop Third in a Row to River Cats 12-4 - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
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