PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Round Rock rails 'Topes 8-2

Published on May 22, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


Behind the stellar pitching performance by Jack Cassel the Round Rock Express (19-27) defeated the Albuquerque Isotopes (24-22) 8-2 Thursday night at Isotopes Park. Jai Miller belted his second homer in consecutive games to lead the Isotopes offense and John Gall continued his consecutive home hitting streak to 23 games with a single in the first.

The Express struck first in the top of the second as former Isotope Reggie Abercrombie led off the inning with a single to right before Ray Sadler added a single of his own to advance Abercrombie to second. With two men on, Nick Gourneault scorched a double to right-center field to plate Abercrombie for the first run of the game and move Sadler to third. Sadler then would score on an infield ground out by Humberto Quintero to extend the lead to 2-0. The pitcher Cassel then laid down a bunt that went right to ‘Topes pitcher Chris Seddon, who grabbed the ball and fired to Dallas McPherson at third in an attempt to cut down Gourneault. When the base runner made a mad retreat back to second, McPherson's throw to the bag skittered into right field, allowing Gourneault to trot safely into the third. Tomas Perez would then drive in Gourneault with a sacrifice fly, giving the Express a 3-0 cushion.

Round Rock added to their lead in the fourth, when Quintero flared a single to right field before Cassel sacrificed the runner to second. Perez then stung a single to left field that allowed Quintero to score putting Round Rock up 4-0.

J.R. House then led off the seventh with a single to left field in front Mark Saccomanno, who singled to left to set up Sadler, who smoked a triple to right that cleared the bases and padded the Express advantage to a half-dozen at 6-0. House finished the night with five hits for Round Rock, four singles and a double.

After the Express scored twice more in the top of the eighth, the Isotopes battled back in the bottom of the frame as Miller slammed a solo blast over the right field fence to break up the shutout and give Albuquerque's its first run. Andrew Beattie would then follow with a triple past the center fielder to set up a sacrifice fly by Gall that narrowed the Express advantage to 8-2.

In the ninth the Express gave the ball to reliever Carlos Hines, he did allow two base hits by McPherson and Paul Hoover but settled down to secure the Express victory.

The 26-year old Cassel, (4-1, 2.17) delivered a solid outing, holding in check Albuquerque's offense by scattering nine hits, striking out five, and allowing only two eighth-inning runs. Cassel did not issue a walk on the night while he tossing 117 pitches, 87 for strikes. ‘Topes starter Seddon (3-3, 4.06) took the loss after allowing four runs, three earned, on 10 hits in six innings while walking one and fanning five.

Albuquerque heads to the Big Easy to take on the New Orleans Zephyrs as right hander Dallas Trahern (0-4, 12.00) will start game one of the series against Zephyrs' righty Tony Armas (2-4, 2.63) in a 6:05 PM start Mountain Time at Zephyr Field.

Following a quick weekend series in New Orleans the ‘Topes return to Isotopes Park on Tuesday, May 27 for an eight game homestand that begins with the Nashville Sounds, Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, and then concludes with the Memphis Redbirds, Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. 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.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from May 22, 2008


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