Sports stats



PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Round Rock pitches past 'Topes 4-2

September 3, 2009 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


Pounding out 11 hits and using a supply of solid bullpen work in lieu of a starter didn't cut it for the Albuquerque Isotopes (76-63) who dropped a 4-2 decision to the Round Rock Express (60-79) Wednesday night at Isotopes Park. With 7,514 in attendance, the ‘Topes moved just 417 fans away from breaking the all-time attendance mark set in 2008 and need a crowd of at least 6,810 at Thursday's last regular season home game to break the 600,000 mark.

Although Albuquerque left eight men on base and out-hit the Express by four, the stagnant offense was in large part a result of Express starter Polin Trinidad (6-5) who authored 7.2 innings in which he yielded just two runs and fanned a season-high nine. The seven hits by Round Rock, which interestingly were recorded by seven separate batters as no Express hitter turned in a multiple hit game, generated four runs, all the left-hander needed.

Henry Bonilla led a collection of Isotopes relievers called on to fill in the vacant spot in the rotation. Bonilla cruised through the first two innings, retiring the side in each, before surrendering a solo home run to Jason Smith in the third inning.

Bonilla (3-11) yielded back-to-back singles before punching out the next two batters to keep the Round Rock lead to 1-0. The Express pushed across another single tally in the fourth thanks to a two-out double from Matt Kata, who despite driving in the run, made the final out at third as the relay to J.D. Closser at home was rocketed to third to nab Kata and end the inning with a 2-0 Express edge in tact.

The Isotopes spoiled two potential production opportunities in the second and third with runners caught stealing second for the second out in each inning before being retired 1-2-3 in the fourth and fifth.

Like Bonilla, Brent Leach, who took over in the fifth for a scoreless frame, spotted the Express two runs in his second inning of work. The lefty pegged Chris Johnson before Tommy Manzella clubbed his second home run in as many days to push the lead to 4-0.

Albuquerque answered in the bottom of the sixth, scratching out one run in what could have been a much more productive inning. Xavier Paul led the charge with his third single of the night before Blake DeWitt lashed a single of his own to board two, but the inning quickly fizzled as Mitch Jones struck out for out No. 2. Hector Luna, who matched Paul with three hits, delivered a single to put the ‘Topes on the board, but Trinidad would surrender no more, getting Dee Brown to ground out as the ‘Topes came away cutting into the lead by just one at 4-1.

Josh Lindblom and Francisco Felix kept a ‘Topes comeback within reach, combining to allow just one hit over the final three frames. Lindblom sat down the six Express he faced with 26 pitches, 19 of which were strikes, totaling four punch-outs in the two innings.

Jones smacked a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth to trim it to 4-2, his 34th home run of the season and 13th RBI in the past five games. But besides the Jones jack, which chased Trinidad, the ‘Topes were kept from any rally as Armando Benetiz shut the door finishing the final 1.1 innings for his fist save.

Albuquerque will try and avoid a series loss to the Express tomorrow behind lefty Eric Stults (5-4, 5.28) who will take on righty Jose Capellan (2-10, 7.38) in a 6:35 PM MT start from Isotopes Park.

The Isotopes wrap up their epic 13-game homestand tomorrow with a final game before Round Rock before the team heads to Iowa to wrap up the regular season with a set against the I-Cubs. After their trip to Des Moines, the ‘Topes return home to kick off the 2009 PCL Playoffs at Isotopes Park on Wednesday, September 9. 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



Pacific Coast League Stories from September 3, 2009


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