PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

River Cats Slug Past \'Topes, 7-3

Published on May 31, 2007 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


Valentino Pascucci clubbed his league-leading 16th home run of the season, but a seven-run Sacramento fourth inning was enough to sink Albuquerque Thursday night, as the River Cats (32-22) downed the Isotopes (27-27) 7-3 at Raley Field.

Albuquerque held Sacramento scoreless in seven of its eight at-bats on Thursday, but the River Cats made the most of an offensive explosion in the fourth, scoring enough to carry them to their second-straight win of the series. Scoreless through 3 ½, Sacramento sent 11 men to the plate in the inning, utilizing four extra-base hits, including a lead-off homer and three-consecutive run-scoring doubles.

By the time Pascucci rocked his homer in the eighth, the Cats had already built a comfortable advantage and the lead was never seriously threatened.

Isotopes starter Nic Ungs (2-3) cruised through the first three innings, but the young right-hander couldn't escape the fourth, recording only one out before his exit. Ungs took the loss, surrendering seven runs on eight hits. Ungs walked two and didn't record a strikeout. Out of the bullpen, Ricardo Rodriguez shut out Sacramento over 3.2 innings of work, allowing just two hits and three walks. Roy Corcoran, just activated from the disabled list, tossed a scoreless eighth.

The win went to River Cats starter Dan Meyer (2-0), who scattered two runs on three hits over five innings of work. Meyer walked three and punched out nine.

In the fateful bottom half of the fourth inning, Sacramento's Dee Brown led off the frame with a solo homer to right to score the game's first run. A single and a walk would follow before a sacrifice bunt marked the first out of the inning. Ungs intentionally walked Jeremy Brown to load the bases, but the ‘Topes would pay. Lou Merloni answered with a two-run single, and he'd be followed by back-to-back-to-back doubles that quickly pushed the River Cats lead to 7-0. Ungs exited in favor of Rodriguez, who immediately stopped the bleeding with a pop out and a groundout.

Albuquerque drew first blood in the fifth to carve into the lead. Scott Seabol started things off with a lead-off homer to left, his 11th of the season. John Baker hit a one-out single and advanced to third on a base hit by Andrew Beattie. Baker came around to score two batters later on a wild pitch to make the score 7-2.

In the eighth, Pascucci homered to deep, straight-away center field, cutting the Sacramento lead to four. The Isotopes, though, would get no closer.

The ‘Topes and River Cats wrap-up the series on Friday night from Raley Field. Lefty Chris George (3-4, 4.52) takes to the slab for Albuquerque, while fellow southpaw Dallas Braden (0-0, 0.75) gets the nod for Sacramento. First pitch is set for 8:05 PM.

Albuquerque's next trip home will be a 12-game stay, beginning June 7. That homestand is jam-packed with fun events and promotions, including fireworks, Myron Noodleman and a slew of giveaways. Tickets can be purchased at Isotopes Park or any Ticketmaster outlet, www.ticketmaster.com, or Ticketmaster by phone 505-883-7800. For more information, visit www.albuquerquebaseball.com or call 505-924-2255.

Check out the Albuquerque Isotopes Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from May 31, 2007


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