PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

'Topes Blown out by Sky Sox, 11-2

Published on August 16, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


The Albuquerque Isotopes (72-54) yielded a 3-for-4 performance to Brendan Harris that included a home run and four RBI, en route to an eventual 11-2 blowout loss to the Colorado Springs Sky Sox on Thursday night at Security Service Field. However, with division-rival New Orleans also dropping its contest, the Isotopes still carry a 3.0-game lead in the PCL's American Southern Division.

The Sky Sox came out hot, plating three runs in the first beginning with a leadoff triple from Tim Wheeler, who scored one batter later on a sac-fly from Tommy Field, giving Colorado Springs a 1-0 lead. Charlie Blackmon followed with a double to right-center and came home on an RBI single from Harris to extend the advantage 2-0. With two outs and a runner on second, Chad Tracy made it 5-0 with an RBI base knock to left that brought in Harris.

Colorado Springs kept its foot on the pedal in the third as Andrew Brown reached on a one-out single, and Harris crushed a two-run shot to left that widened the Sky Sox's edge 5-0.

One of the few bright spots for the Isotopes occurred during their scoreless fourth, when Jerry Sands extended his season-high hitting streak to 17 games with a base knock to left. The slugger is now two games shy of tying the franchise record, which was matched once already this season by former 'Tope Elian Herrera.

The home team continued pouring it on in the fifth, tallying five runs with two outs in the frame. Following a quick strike out and fly out, Brown began the rally with a double to left field and immediately crossed home on a run-scoring single from Harris that made it 6-0. Tracy and Charlie Culberson then roped back-to-back RBI doubles, giving the Sky Sox an 8-0 lead, before Wilkin Castillo capped the big inning with a two-out dinger to left that put Colorado Springs up 10-0.

Albuquerque finally showed signs of life in the eighth with a leadoff single from Tony Gwynn Jr., who scored all the way from second courtesy of an RBI double from Ivan De Jesus Jr. that put the 'Topes on the board at 11-1. Thus far through August, De Jesus Jr. has plated 16 runs in 15 games, good for third most RBI in the PCL during that span. Gwynn was then left standing on second for four at-bats until Tim Federowicz lifted a ball to right that was dropped by Brown for an error, allowing the runner to scamper home and bring the Isotopes within 11-2.

The score would remain unchanging in the final frame as Zach Putnam retired three of four Albuquerque batters to seal an 11-2 Colorado Springs win.

Colorado Rockies rehabbing starter Jhoulys Chacin (1-1) picked up the victory after limiting a powerful 'Topes offense to just one run on five hits, while walking three and fanning none. Albuquerque starter Stephen Fife (9-6) was saddled with the loss as he allowed a season-high nine runs on a season-high 11 hits.

The Isotopes and Sky Sox will wrap up their series tomorrow night at Security Service Field. 'Topes righty Will Savage (10-5, 5.94) will make the start against Colorado Springs southpaw Nick Schmidt (4-3, 7.24), with first pitch slated for 7:05 PM MT.

Following the contest, Albuquerque returns home Saturday, August 18 for a crucial four-game series against the New Orleans Zephyrs that includes fireworks, a Green Chile bobblehead giveaway and the last 50=A2 hot dog night! 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 online at www.abqisotopes.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Check out the Albuquerque Isotopes Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 16, 2012


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