PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Isotopes Slammed by Zephyrs, 4-2

Published on August 1, 2011 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


The Albuquerque Isotopes (56-54) were burned by a former player, as Chris Aguila blasted a grand slam to power the New Orleans Zephyrs (55-55) to a 4-2 win Monday night at Zephyr Field.

With the Isotopes hanging on to a 2-0 lead, reliever Ramon Troncoso started the frame by issuing back-to-back walks to Jorge Padilla and Joe Thurston. Mike Cervanek then slapped a single to shallow left, loading the bases for Aguila, who crushed a grand slam over the picnic pavilion in left field to immediately give the Z's a 4-2 lead.

After the script had been flipped, the Zephyrs made sure the lead was preserved as relievers Peter Andrelczyk and Victor Garate authored a scoreless frame apiece before giving the ball to dominating closer Jose Ceda (24), who closed out the Isotopes in the ninth to seal the 4-2 win and nail down his 24th save of the season.

Things started well enough for Albuquerque, as the Isotopes grabbed the first lead of the game with two runs in the third. A.J. Ellis led off the frame with a walk and scored all the way from first on a double by Justin Sellers to give the ‚¬ËœTopes a 1-0 edge. After a sacrifice moved Sellers to third, newest Isotope Brad Coon smashed a double to center for his first hit as a ‚¬ËœTope, which also easily scored Sellers to give the visitors a 2-0 lead.

The sixth-inning slam spoiled a spectacular spot start from Francisco Felix, who was pressed into service when scheduled starter John Ely was recalled to the Dodgers earlier in the day. Felix allowed just one hit in five strong innings of work while walking two and striking three in what would end up as nothing but a tough no-decision.

New Orleans starter Tom Koehler (7-6) earned the victory after tossing six innings in which he yielded two runs on four hits while walking four and fanning four. Troncoso (1-2) took the loss after surrendering the Aguila slam.

The ‚¬ËœTopes will look to snap a four-game losing streak and avoid a sweep in the series finale on Tuesday with ace Dana Eveland (11-5, 3.26) taking the mound for the Isotopes against Z's right-hander Chris Sampson (7-0, 3.51). The finale features morning baseball, with first pitch taking place at 10:30 AM MT. All the action can be heard on KTBL1050 AM.

Albuquerque will return to Isotopes Park on Wednesday to start another eight-game homestand against the Tacoma Rainiers and Salt Lake Bees which includes a slew of great giveaways like Orbit Banks and Isotopes Hats as well as a fireworks extravaganza. 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.

Check out the Albuquerque Isotopes Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 1, 2011


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