PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Keisler the Key to a 5-2 \'Topes Win

Published on June 11, 2011 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


Behind a strong performance from starting pitcher Randy Keisler, the Albuquerque Isotopes (35-26) knocked off the Nashville Sounds (27-34), 5-2, in a rare Saturday afternoon contest at Isotopes Park.

Saturday's contest was moved up to a late afternoon start time of 4:35 p.m. MT, with increased smoke from the Arizona wildfires having been predicted to reach Albuquerque later in the evening. However, the 8,180 in attendance at The Lab enjoyed great conditions for baseball and an equally great effort from Keisler (2-2), who went seven innings and gave up just one run on four hits while striking out six Nashville batters to earn his second straight win.

The lefty's only mistake came in the third inning and allowed Nashville to take the early lead. After Caleb Gindl led off the Sounds' third with a base hit, he moved to second base on a groundout and then came home as Nashville starting pitcher Amaury Rivas knocked an RBI single to put the visitors up, 1-0.

One inning later, the Isotopes drew even. Russ Mitchell tagged Rivas for a lead-off single, which was followed by a walk from Friday night's hero, Trayvon Robinson. A groundout by Damaso Espino advanced both runners and set up a sacrifice fly by Keisler that plated Mitchell to tie the contest, 1-1.

The fifth inning saw Albuquerque take the lead for good. It began once again with a lead-off single, this time from Ivan De Jesus, Jr. After a one-out single from J.D. Closser and a walk to Mitchell loaded the bases, Robinson drew a free pass, plating De Jesus the easy way and giving the Isotopes a 2-1 advantage.

That lead got bigger in the sixth as the Isotopes notched another run. Sounds reliever Mike McClendon plunked Justin Sellers, who advanced to second and third on back-to-back groundouts before trotting home on a single by De Jesus to augment the home team's lead to 3-1.

Albuquerque busted the game open in the seventh with two more tallies delivered by Robinson. Closser singled to lead-off the frame and moved to second on a subsequent walk from Mitchell. Then came Robinson, who extended his current hitting streak to 13 games with a double to right that brought in Closser and Mitchell to make it 5-1, ‘Topes. Robinson helped lead the offensive charge for the Isotopes driving in a team-high three runs on the afternoon.

The eighth inning brought a new pitcher for the ‘Topes, but reliever Joe Newby got out of a runners-at-the-corners jam unscathed. Newby made way for Jon Link in the ninth, and after he gave up a one-out solo homer from Mat Gamel, Link induced a groundout and recorded a strikeout to finish off the Sounds and seal the 5-2 ‘Topes triumph.

The Isotopes will look for a fourth straight home series win on Sunday behind right-hander John Ely (2-3, 5.01), who will take the mound for Albuquerque against former ‘Tope righty Frankie De La Cruz (1-4, 4.21) in a 1:35 PM start from Isotopes Park.

Albuquerque's short-but-sweet homestand wraps up on Sunday with a Sunday matinee featuring a 1:35 PM start time and ‘Topes Tote Bags to the first 3,000 fans courtesy of United RV. 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

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Pacific Coast League Stories from June 11, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central