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PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

'Topes can't overcome early hole

June 11, 2008 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


Tempers flared for the second straight night as the Round Rock Express (29-37) jumped to an early seven run advantage only outlast the Albuquerque Isotopes (30-35) for the 7-4 victory Wednesday night at Isotopes Park. John Gall led the offensive charge for the ‘Topes as he went four-for-five with two doubles and an RBI. The game also featured two separate bench-clearing incidents in the bottom of the seventh that resulted in four ejections.

The Express stormed out the gates in the opening frame when leadoff hitter Tomas Perez singled to right field and moved to second on a single by Edwin Maysonet. With two men on, Express catcher J.R. House crushed a 1-1 offering over the left field fence to give Round Rock an instant 3-0 lead. Mark Saccomanno extended the inning, cracking a line-drive double to the left-center field gap to set up Ray Sadler, who laced a one-out double to left-center field that drove in Saccomanno for the Express' fourth run of the frame. When Chris Barnwell's relay throw to home veered offline, Sadler trotted into third, from where he scored on a Nick Gorneault single to left field that gave Round Rock a five-run advantage, 5-0.

Round Rock's offense continued to drive in runs in the second as Express starter Josh Muecke hit an infield single to deep short to set up Maysonet, who reached first on Barnwell's second error of the game at shortstop. With two men on, House cleared the bases again, this time with a double to left-center field extending the Express lead to a commanding 7-0.

Albuquerque started to claw back from its seven run deficit in the third when Dante Brinkley led off the inning by drawing a walk and advanced into scoring position after a sacrifice bunt by Gaby Hernandez. With Barnwell up to bat, Brinkley immediately stole third only to scamper home on a sacrifice fly for the Isotopes first run, 7-1. Andrew Beattie then slapped a single to left-center field and immediately stole second base setting up Gall, who drove in Beattie with an opposite field double to right to trim the lead to 7-2. Jason Wood added a single to left-center field, scoring Gall and narrowing the Express advantage even further to 7-3. After a double to left by Tagg Bozied that advance Wood to third and a Paul Hoover walk to load the bases, Chase Lambin drew another free pass, plating Wood and cutting the lead to 7-4.

While that was the extent of the game's scoring there was still plenty of action. Fireworks erupted in the seventh when Muecke threw the first pitch of the inning behind Beattie, causing a bench clearing altercation. After order was briefly restored, Express reliever Ray King instigated another fracas that again caused both benched to empty in front of the pitcher's mound. Once the mayhem subsided, home plate umpire Todd Tichenor had ejected both Muecke, Beattie, King and Round Rock manager Dave Clark from the game.

Following the ejections Round Rock had a trio of relievers, Nick Regilio, Dave Borkowski, and Jorge Sosa, shut down the Isotopes bats over the final three frames, scattered four hits to secure the 7-4 Express victory.

Tomorrow, the Isotopes will finish their volatile series with the Express behind left-hander Chris Seddon (5-4, 3.77), who will take the mound for the ‘Topes against Express righty Jack Cassel (5-1, 2.05) at Isotopes Park. Fist pitch is slated for 7:05 PM.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from June 11, 2008


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