PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Pitching prevails in 'Topes triumph

June 14, 2008 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


Bobby Keppel and Ross Wolf combined for a four-hit shutout to lead the Albuquerque Isotopes (32-36) over the Omaha Royals (33-34) 7-0 Saturday night at Isotopes Park. John Gall led the offensive onslaught by collecting five hits, three of which were doubles, while scoring a pair of runs and driving three more.

Keppel (7-6) cruised through six and two-thirds innings, allowing just four hits while walking four and striking out seven. The victory broke a four-game losing streak for the right-hander who earned his seventh win of the season, tied for the team lead.

Albuquerque drew first blood in the second when Chris Barnwell slapped a one-out single to left and sprinted all the way home on Gall's first double of the game to left field for the game's first run, 1-0. Jason Wood then singled through the hole at short driving in Gall and giving the Isotopes 2-0 lead after one.

The same duo that contributed to the Isotopes runs in the second were back at it in the fifth as Barnwell singled up the middle and scored on Gall's second line-drive double of the game to extend the lead to 3-0. Wood then hit into a fielder's choice that eliminated Gall at third in front of Dallas McPherson, who stung a double down the right field line to advance Wood to third. With two men in scoring position, Tagg Bozied came through in the clutch, breaking the game open on a hard hit double to center, clearing the bases and helping the ‘Topes to a 5-0 advantage.

The Isotopes added an additional run in the seventh when Gall led off the inning with a single to left and scampered to second following a Wood walk. With two men on, McPherson cracked a double to right-center that plated Gall and extend the Isotopes advantage to 6-0.

Paul Hoover earned a leadoff walk in the eighth only to move 90-feet after Lorenzo Scott also earned a free pass. After double-play advanced Hoover to third, the sizzling Gall ripped his third double to left, driving in Hoover for the final ‘Topes run, 7-0. Gall's five knocks tied a team record set on two prior occasions and was just the second time the feat had been accomplished by an Isotope at The Lab.

After Keppel's dominance, Wolf continued his excellence out of the Isotopes bullpen, shutting down the O-Royals bats by not allowing a hit in the final two and a third innings to lockdown the ‘Topes second shutout of the season.

Albuquerque Isotopes' ace Frankie De La Cruz (7-3, 3.92) will take the mound against right-hander Brandon Duckworth (2-7, 6.71) in game three of the series against the Omaha Royals at Isotopes Park with first pitch slated for 6:05 PM.

Celebrate Father's Day by treating dad to a full day of fun at Isotopes Park on Sunday, June 15. In addition to the season's second Albuquerque Journal Autograph Session featuring Dallas McPherson and Gaby Hernandez, fathers will be invited to play catch with their children on the field prior to first pitch. As if all of that weren't enough, the first 3,000 Dad's entering The Lab will receive an Isotopes T-Shirt courtesy of McDonald's. 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



Pacific Coast League Stories from June 14, 2008


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