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PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Sounds silence Isotopes

August 26, 2009 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


The Albuquerque Isotopes (72-59) managed just four hits in a 4-1 loss to the Nashville Sounds (68-63) Tuesday night at Isotopes Park as Sounds starter Mike Jones mowed through the usually dangerous ‘Topes lineup to hand Albuquerque its third straight loss. It is the first series loss at home for Albuquerque since June 28-30.

Albuquerque reduced its magic number to eight, however, with an Oklahoma City loss that also keeps the ‘Topes six and a half games up in the American Southern division.

Jones (1-1) recorded his longest outing and highest strikeout mark this season as he pitches his way back from three surgeries after being a first-round draft pick by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2001. The right-hander, who has started 21 games between Single-A and Double-A, racked up seven strikeouts over 7.2 innings, yielding just one run while holding the Isotopes scoreless over the first six frames.

Early scoring opportunities were absent for Albuquerque as the ‘Topes allowed just one baserunner past second through the first six innings. The only real chances for Albuquerque against Jones came in the second when Albuquerque had runners on first and second with one out, but couldn't cash in.

From there, Jones retired 14 of the next 16 before the ‘Topes finally managed a run with a Jason Repko solo shot in the bottom of the seventh.

By then, the Sounds had built all the lead they would need. J.J. Hardy sent a solo shot to left in the first off Giancarlo Alvarado as the Sounds struck for a 1-0 edge. Tike Redman extended the lead by two with a single in the bottom of the fourth to plate Mat Gamel and Adam Heether. Alvarado exited after the sixth with a decent outing in which he surrendered just seven hits and three runs.

A run-scoring single from Corey Patterson in the seventh off Josh Lindblom turned the score into a 4-0 Sounds lead. Repko's blast was the first hit for Albuquerque since the third inning and the last the ‘Topes would muster on the night.

Albuquerque would end up stranding two in the eighth and ninth. A walk to Dee Brown, who reached base three times, and an error at second to put Jamie Hoffmann on board gave the ‘Topes a chance to stage a comeback with no outs in the ninth. Chris Smith (16) fired back-to-back punch-outs before inducing a pop-up as the ‘Topes went silently.

The Isotopes will look to snap a three-game skid tomorrow when they welcome the Memphis Redbirds, Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, to Albuquerque for a five-game series. Right-hander Tim Corcoran (0-0, 7.27), will take the mound for Albuquerque against Redbirds righty P.J. Walters (7-9, 5.04) in a 6:35 PM MT at The Lab.

The Isotopes' franchise-record 13-game homestand rolls on with a visit by the Memphis Redbirds, Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. On Thursday, the team will be giving away Manny Ramirez Bobbleheads to the first 3,000 fans. 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.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 26, 2009


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