PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Isotopes Split Doubleheader against Chihuahuas

Published on July 3, 2014 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


NEED TO KNOW: The Albuquerque Isotopes (40-47) split a doubleheader with the El Paso Chihuahuas (41-47) Wednesday night at Southwest University Park in El Paso, TX. The Isotopes won the first game 5-4 but dropped the second game 9-5.

CRITICAL MOMENT, GAME ONE: Chihuahuas starter Michael Nix took a no hitter into the fifth inning and hadn't allowed a ball to leave the infield. The Isotopes offense seemed to be asleep until Griff Erickson roped a leadoff single to right field in thefifth. Erickson then stole second and advance to third on a wild pitch before Alex Liddi chased him home with a double to give the Topes a 1-0 lead. Liddi would later score on a single by Erisbel Arruebarrena.

CRITICAL MOMENT, GAME TWO: With the game tied at four all in the fifth inning, the Chihuahuascoaxed a pair of one-out walks and the inning quickly went downhill for theIsotopes. The next batter reached one a dropped third strike, allowing one run to score, and then three more hits followed by a three-run home run from ElPaso first baseman Cody Decker capped the seven-run inning.

SWING IT GRIFF: Catcher Griff Erickson turned in a 2-for-2 outing in game one of the doubleheader, including a double, a home run, two runs scored and two RBI. In his last 10 games, Erickson is batting .381 (8-for-21) with three runs scored, one double, one triple, two home runs, six RBI, three walks and one stolen base.

BACK-TO-BACK JACKS: Griff Erickson and Johnny Monell hit back-to-back home runs in the sixth inning of the first game to expand Albuquerque's lead to 5-0. It was the fourth time this season Isotopes have hit back-to-back homers. It was Erickson's sixth long ball of the year and Monell's second.

DOUBLE TROUBLE: In the 15 days leading up to the All-Star Break, Albuquerque will play four doubleheaders. The Isotopes already swept a twin bill from the Reno Aces onJune 27 before splitting the Wednesday doubleheader. The Topes will also play a split doubleheader on Saturday against the Las Vegas 51s and another double dip at Las Vegas on July 11. On the season, Albuquerque is now 2-1-2 in five doubleheaders.

ARRUEBARRENA - BECAUSE I'M NOT ON A CHARACTER COUNT: Erisbel Arruebarrena went 1-for-2 with an RBI in the first game Wednesday night. He has a hit in 17 of his last 18 games and is now hitting .417 (25-for-60) during that stretch with three doubles, twotriples, seven walks, six runs scored and eight RBI.

ON DECK: The Isotopes will try to take their second series from the Chihuahuas this season with the finale their four-game series Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. MT. Right-hander Stephen Fife (2-2, 5.83 ERA) will get the start for Albuquerque, while El Paso is scheduled to go with Chris Smith (0-0, 1.50 ERA).

IN THE HOLE: After the four-game road trip, the Isotopes will return home to face the division-leading Las Vegas 51s and Chihuahuas in an eight-game homestand onJuly 4-10. Independence Day festivities include post-game fireworks presented by U.S. Bank, weather permitting. Gates will open early at 4:30 p.m. on Friday night for the 6:05p.m. first pitch. Berm tickets for Friday night's game are now on sale for $9 at Isotopes Park Box Office and at Ticketmaster outlets, including internet, phone, and retail locations. A split doubleheader will follow on Saturday with game times set for 12:05 p.m. and 7:05 p.m. Both games of the doubleheader will be seven-inning contests and separate tickets are required for each game. Freeparking will be available for the 12:05 p.m. game. Post-game fireworks presented by Cricket Wireless (weather permitting) will also follow Saturday night's game.

Check out the Albuquerque Isotopes Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 3, 2014


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