PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Topes Cash in at Cashman

Published on May 14, 2013 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


The Isotopes (20-19) took control after a four-run first inning defeating the 51s (18-19) 8-5 from Cashman Field Tuesday afternoon. SS Justin Sellers led the way to a series split with a break out performance (3-for-5, 2 2B, 2 R, RBI).

Isotopes starting pitcher Angel Castro (3-2, 4.05) earned the win and had a more efficient outing after two consecutive rough starts allowing 10 hits in each contest. Castro gave up five hits today through six innings of work and allowed three runs. He ran into trouble in his final frame, the sixth, when the 51s loaded the bases, but the 5-foot-11 Dominican struck out the final two batters in succession to escape. He walked one and struck out four.

The Topes came out swinging in the first inning, putting an early four spot on the board. The first two batters, RF Matt Angle (1-for-4) and 3B Alfredo Amezaga, reached without recording a hit. Angle was hit by a pitch and Amezaga drew a walk. Two batters later 1B Brian Barden (2-for-4) hit his seventh double of the season, scoring the pair. Justin Sellers capped the scoring with a two-run double, plating Barden and Herrera staking the Isotopes to a 4-0 advantage. It was his first double of the season as an Isotope.

Las Vegas cut the lead in half in the second inning. LF Eric Campbell tripled home Zach Lutz for the 51s first run. Lutz reached via a walk. Las Vegas was then helped along by a Sellers fielding error at shortstop allowing Campbell to come in from third to score.

Sellers was instrumental in another scoring play in the fourth inning, helping the Topes extend their lead to 5-2. The 27-year-old shortstop doubled for the second time of the game to lead off the frame. Angle then came up with a two-out singling Sellers home.

SS Brian Bixler had the 51s threatening to score immediately in the fifth inning. Bixler knocked his third double of the season into left field to lead off. Two outs and two batters later, CF Collin Cowgill singled home Bixler cutting the Topes lead to 5-3.

Albuquerque pulled away further in the next half inning. The California born Sellers collected his third hit of the afternoon on a single in front of catcher Matt Wallach. Wallach followed with his first home run at the Triple-A level, extending the Topes lead to 7-3.

The Topes tacked on one more in the ninth. LF Jeremy Moore led off with his first double of the season and he would go on to steal third base. Moore came in on a throwing error by Bixler putting the Topes up 8-3.

Topes Southpaw Kelvin De La Cruz was strong in his two innings of work out the bullpen for Albuquerque. He allowed three hits but did not surrender a run or walk. Five of the six outs he recorded were via the punch out. RHP Peter Moylan finished the game for the Topes. Moylan allowed two runs in the ninth inning to make things interesting but Las Vegas would get no closer. He gave four hits and fanned the final batter of the game.

Chris Schwinden suffered the loss falling to 2-4 on the season with a 5.85 ERA. The 6-foot-3 hurler went five innings allowing five runs on seven hits. He also walked one and fanned four.

The Isotopes return to Albuquerque to begin an eight-game homestand Thursday, May 16. They open with a 6:35 PM start against the Reno Aces and conclude with a four-game set against the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. RHP Blake Johnson (3-2, 4.42) is slated to open the homestand for Albuquerque against Reno's righty Charles Brewer (2-3, 4.24). Catch all of the game action on 610 AM "The Sports Animal" with Josh Suchon on the call.

Tickets are on sale now at the Isotopes Park Box Office, at Ticketmaster outlets, through Ticketmaster by phone at (800) 745-3000, or online at www.abqisotopes.com or www.ticketmaster.com. For information, please call (505) 924-2255.

Check out the Albuquerque Isotopes Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from May 14, 2013


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