PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Nashville knocks off Isotopes, 6-2

Published on August 22, 2006 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


A solo home run in the first inning by Edgar Gonzalez was the only run the Albuquerque Isotopes (63-66) could muster for eight innings as the Nashville Sounds (71-60) prevailed 6-2 in the final game of the two teams' series Tuesday night at Greer Stadium. The ‘Topes leave Music City having lost two straight and three of four against the Sounds.

With two out in the top of the first, Gonzalez drilled an offering from Nashville starter Carlos Villanueva over the left field fence to give the Isotopes a quick 1-0 lead. The advantage was short-lived, however, as Tony Gwynn Jr., led off the home half of the first by hitting the second pitch he saw from Albuquerque starting pitcher Yusmeiro Petit over the right field fence and just like that, the game was tied 1-1. Nashville took the lead for good later in the same inning, when Graham Koonce roped an RBI single scoring Chris Barnwell to give the Sounds a 2-1 lead after one.

The Albuquerque run in the first was then followed by seven straight scoreless innings, but the ‘Topes were not without their chances. After stranding runners on second and first in the second inning, Villanueva walked three straight Isotopes to load the bases in the fourth with two out before coaxing Petit into a pop out in foul territory behind first base to end the threat. Villanueva (7-0) earned the victory after allowing the one run on just two hits through six innings while walking four and striking out five.

Nashville scored again in the bottom of the fourth when Dave Krynzel doubled to center scoring Vinny Rottino and extending the lead to 3-1 before the Sounds delivered the knock out punch with three runs in the seventh. With the bases loaded and one out, Isotopes reliever J.B. Miadich got Drew Anderson to ground to second baseman Gonzalez, whose throw home was not in time to nab the speedy Gwynn as he slid across the plate to put the home team up 4-1. The next batter, Koonce, then belted a double to deep center that chased home Barnwell and Anderson, giving the Sounds a 6-1 cushion.

Albuquerque mounted one final rally in the top of the ninth, when Tom Wilson and Matt Cepicky each drew walks to lead off the inning before Nick Trzesniak hit a shallow single to center to load the bases with no outs. Nashville closer Alec Zumwalt then entered the game and immediately struck out pinch-hitter Paul Hoover, but allowed a single by Eric Reed that plated Wilson, cutting the Sounds lead to four at 6-2 and sending the tying run to the plate. Zumwalt slammed the door shut from there, though, striking out both Robert Andino and Gonzalez to end the game and nail down his 15th save of the year.

Petit (4-6) suffered the hard-luck loss for Albuquerque after pitching a solid six innings in which he yielded three runs on seven hits while walking none and striking out season-high-tying six.

The Isotopes will continue their 13-game road odyssey on Wednesday when they depart for Round Rock, Texas for five games against the division-leading Express. Left-hander Jason Vargas (2-4, 5.87) takes the ball for Albuquerque against Round Rock righty Jared Gothreaux (6-9, 4.55) with first pitch slated for 6:05 PM.

Albuquerque returns home for its final homestand on August 28 in an eight-game stretch that includes two fireworks shows and two Fan Appreciation celebrations. Tickets can be purchased at the Isotopes Park Box Office, www.albuquerquebaseball.com, Ticketmaster outlets, or at www.ticketmaster.com. For more information, please call (505) 924-2255.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 22, 2006


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