PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Sounds Slip Past Isotopes 3-1

Published on July 10, 2011 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


The Albuquerque Isotopes (47-42) once again received a great pitching performance but the Nashville Sounds (40-49) hurlers were up to the challenge, holding the ‘Topes offense to just one run in a 3-1 Sounds victory Saturday night at Isotopes Park.

Through the first four innings, the contest was a pitcher's duel between ‘Topes starter Tim Sexton and Nashville right-hander Mike Fiers, who was making his first start at Triple-A.

After four scoreless frames, it was Fiers who blinked first, as the Isotopes plated the first run of the game in the bottom of the fifth. Dee Gordon, as he seemingly always does, started the rally with a bunt base hit before streaking into third on a single by Ivan DeJesus Jr. Jay Gibbons, making his first appearance after having eye surgery 10 days ago, then roped a groundball up the middle for a force out at second that allowed Gordon to scamper home and give the Isotopes a 1- 0 lead.

Nashville immediately answered in the sixth, when Caleb Gindl hit a one-out single in front of former Isotope Brett Carroll, who smashed a two-run shot to left center that immediately gave the Sounds a 2-1 edge.

The home run proved to be the only mistake in an otherwise excellent outing from Sexton (3-2), who allowed the two runs on four hits in seven strong frames while walking one and striking out seven but nevertheless suffered a hard-luck defeat. Fiers (1-0), meanwhile, earned his first Triple-A win after allowing the Isotopes one run on four hits in five innings while walking three and striking out five.

They didn't need it, but the Sounds scratched out one more run of insurance in the ninth when Taylor Green reached on a two-base fielding error by Corey Smith at first base, advanced to third on a sacrifice, and scored on a single by Brandon Boggs to send Nashville to a 3-1 win.

After Fiers departed, the good Sounds pitching continued with two scoreless frames from Mike McClendon, before Tim Dillard (1) pitched a scoreless eighth and ninth to claim his first save of the season.

Albuquerque finishes its series with the Sounds on Sunday with right-hander Ian Snell (1-1, 9.45), making his third start of the season for the ‘Topes against Sounds righty Josh Butler (4-5, 5.31). First pitch is 6:05 PM from Isotopes Park.

The Isotopes' fun-filled homestand wraps up Sunday with a baseball giveaway courtesy of Dr. Greg LoPour DDS in the team's last game before the Triple-A All-Star Break. 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

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Pacific Coast League Stories from July 10, 2011


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