PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Isotopes Silence Sounds Again, 11-8

Published on April 20, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


The Albuquerque Isotopes (10-6) scored often and held on for a second straight win against the Nashville Sounds (3-14) on a sunny Sunday afternoon at Isotopes Park. Chris Barnwell laced a three run double, while Brett Carroll added a four-for-five performance to help lead the 'Topes to a seventh straight win.

The Sounds struck first in the top of the first when Hernan Iribarren was walked and Tony Gwynn singled him to third, setting up Brendan Katin's bat-shattering single that drove him in, giving Nashville an early 1-0 lead.

Like they had the previous night, however, the Isotopes spotted the Sounds a lead only to snatch it right back. Jason Wood led off the second by advancing to second on an error by catcher J.R. Hopf and both Tagg Bozied and Carroll hit singles, with the latter bringing in Wood to tie the score. Paul Hoover found first on a walk to load the bases for Barnwell, who doubled through the hole at shortstop, clearing the bases and putting the 'Topes up by 3 at 4-1.

Albuquerque continued to press in the fifth when John Gall walked, was driven to third on a single by Bozied, and scored when Carroll laced a two-bagger to left -center field to increase the lead to 5-1.

Nashville answered with three runs in the sixth. Brendan Katin made it to second on an error and scored on a Vinny Rottino double to center. Adam Heether then added a homer to left field, leaving the Sounds closer at 5-4.

The Isotopes came back to pad their lead as Barnwell led of the sixth with a single and was immediately picked up by pinch-hitting Chase Lambin, who tripled to center, increasing the advantage to 6-4. Jai Miller followed with a single bringing in Lambin to make the score 7-4. Andrew Beattie then followed with a double through the hole at shortstop, pulling in Miller. After Gall reached first on an error that moved Beattie to third, Wood delivered an RBI single to plate Beattie. The red-hot Carroll capped the scoring with his second RBI single of the game, allowing Gall to score and extending the 'Topes' lead 10-4.

Nashville closed Albuquerque's lead in the seventh by scoring another four runs on 'Topes relievers. Hopf started the frame by striking out but reached on a wild pitch. That opened the floodgates for the Sounds, who had Ozzie Chavez single up the middle, Abraham Nunez double, bringing in Hopf, and Iribarren reach on a fielder's choice that plated Chavez. Mel Stocker, a defensive substitution, continued the hits with a single past second before Katin came up with a double to left field, bringing in both Iribarren and Stocker to cut the lead to 10-8.

The 'Topes got one last run of insurance in the bottom of the eighth when Carroll singled to left field, driving in Wood after a walk and stolen base to second put the veteran in scoring position.

Albuquerque will return tomorrow to try and continue the eight-game winning streak as fans can enjoy 50-cent hot dog night at the Lab. Bobby Keppel (2-1, 4.58) will start for the 'Topes against Sounds left-hander Chris Narveson (0-3, 3.94) in a 6:35 PM game at Isotopes Park. Tickets can be purchased at Isotopes Park or any Ticketmaster outlet, www.ticketmaster.com, or Ticketmaster by phone 505-883-7800. For more information on individual game tickets, season tickets, or mini-plans, visit www.albuquerquebaseball.com or call 505-924-2255.

Check out the Albuquerque Isotopes Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 20, 2008


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