Short-Handed 'Topes Fall 9-3
Published on July 31, 2011 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release
On a day when they lost Dee Gordon to the Dodgers and Trayvon Robinson in a trade to Seattle, the depleted Albuquerque Isotopes (56-53) didn't have enough to keep up with the New Orleans Zephyrs (54-55), who raced out to an eight-run lead and cruised to an 9-3 win Sunday evening at Zephyr Field.
After rain delayed the start of the game a half an hour, New Orleans came out hot, scoring three runs in the very first inning before an out was recorded. Jorge Padilla led off the frame with a single and was immediately cashed in by a two-run homer by Joe Thurston to give the Z's a 2-0 edge. The very next batter, Jose Lopez, followed with a solo shot of his own, increasing the early lead to 3-0 Zephyrs.
New Orleans would blow the game open in the third when Lopez ignited a rally with a two-out double. After Mike Cervenak walked, starter Randy Keisler unleashed a wild pitch, putting both runners in scoring position for Vinny Rottino, who lined a double to center, scoring both runners and increasing the lead to 5-0. Matt Dominguez and Osvaldo Martinez then each drew walks to load the bases for Tim Torres, who drew yet another walk from Keisler, scoring Rottino and making the score 6-0 Zephyrs. Starting pitcher Sean West capped the scoring with a single, plating two and giving New Orleans a comfortable 8-0 cushion.
Albuquerque finally got on the board in the fourth, thanks to a big blast from Jay Gibbons. Justin Sellers started the uprising with a lead-off double and Ivan De Jesus Jr. added a walk, putting a pair on for Gibbons, who crushed a three-run blast to right center that trimmed the deficit to 8-3.
That proved to be the extent of the positive feelings for the ¬ËTopes, as West (5-7) settled down to earn the win after 5.2 innings in which he allowed three runs on four hits while walking three and striking out six. Corey Madden and Daniel Jennings then combined to throw 3.1 scoreless innings to keep the Isotopes in check. ¬ËTopes starter Keisler (6-5) suffered the defeat after yielding eight earned runs in just 2.2 innings.
For good measure, the Z's added one more in the eighth on a solo homer by Thurston, his second big-fly of the game, to cruise to a 9-3 win.
The ¬ËTopes will look to break a three-game losing streak on Monday behind right-hander John Ely (6-4, 5.43), who takes the mound for Albuquerque against New Orleans righty Tom Koehler (6-6, 5.43). First pitch from Zephyr Field is slated for 5:00 PM MT.
Albuquerque will return to Isotopes Park this Wednesday to start another eight-game homestand against the Tacoma Rainiers and Salt Lake Bees which includes a slew of great giveaways like Orbit Banks and Isotopes Hats as well as a fireworks extravaganza. 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.
Pacific Coast League Stories from July 31, 2011
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- Thurston's Two Homers Power Z's Past Isotopes - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Express Surge Past Nashville 8-4 - Round Rock Express
- Short-Handed 'Topes Fall 9-3 - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Sounds Doubled up by Express, 8-4 - Nashville Sounds
- Memphis Slugs Iowa - Memphis Redbirds
- Storm Chasers Score Early and Often in 12-3 Defeat of OKC - Oklahoma City Comets
- Peguero Powers Rainiers past Las Vegas, 4-3 - Tacoma Rainiers
- Trayvon Robinson Traded to Seattle - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Gordon Returns to Dodgers After Furcal Trade - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Round Rock Express Game Notes - Round Rock Express
- Oklahoma City RedHawks Transactions - Oklahoma City Comets
- Rangers Acquire RHP Mike Adams from San Diego - Round Rock Express
- Oklahoma City RedHawks Game Notes - Oklahoma City Comets
- Yourkin Sets Career Highs in Grizzlies' Win - Fresno Grizzlies
- Rainiers Blast Past Las Vegas, 12-1 - Tacoma Rainiers
- Salt Lake wins over Tucson - Tucson Padres
- Reno Drops Opener to Fresno, 7-4 - Reno Aces
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