PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

'Topes Fall Short in Vegas 4-3

Published on May 13, 2011 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


Like the top-secret government military installation for which the team is named, success against the Las Vegas 51s (19-16) remains a shrouded mystery for the Albuquerque Isotopes (18-15) who were defeated for the third straight time, 4-3 Thursday night at Cashman Field. The defeat is Albuquerque's third in a row, a season-high, and marks the first time in team history the ‚¬ËœTopes have fallen in three straight games to the 51s.

For the second straight night Albuquerque drew first blood, plating a run in the top of the first inning when Eugenio Velez smacked a one-out double and, after a walk to Trent Oeltjen, scored on a single by John Lindsey to give the Isotopes an early 1-0 edge.

Jamie Hoffmann doubled the advantage with one swing of the bat in the fourth, belting a home run deep over the wall in left field to put the visiting team ahead 2-0.

Just like the night before, the lead would not last long. Las Vegas answered in the bottom of the fourth in a rally ignited by an Isotopes miscue. Mike McCoy led off the inning with a grounder to second that was picked up by Velez, but the throw handcuffed first baseman J.D. Closser, allowing the batter to reach safely on the E-3. After a Dewayne Wise single, Albuquerque starter John Ely unleashed a wild pitch, putting both runners in scoring position. Travis Snider lifted a sacrifice fly that scored McCoy and trimmed the lead to 2-1 before Eric Thames roped a single that plated Wise and tied the game at 2-2 on a pair of costly unearned runs.

It would remain tied until the bottom of the eighth, when Las Vegas put runners on first and second with one out for Wise, who singled sharply to center, plating Danny Perales and giving the 51s their first lead of the contest at 3-2. After McCoy swiped third base, reliever Jon Link tossed a wild pitch to Brett Lawrie, allowing McCoy to trot home with a vital insurance run making the score 4-2.

The ‚¬ËœTopes would mount one last rally in the ninth when Justin Sellers hammered a solo homer to left to trim the advantage to 4-3, but that's where the rally would fall short, as Vegas reliever Wil Ledezma coaxed a grounder and struck out two around a walk and a hit-by-pitch to preserve the 4-3 win and a white-knuckle save.

The late-inning meltdown spoiled an outstanding starting effort from Ely, who allowed the two unearned runs on three singles and a walk in seven innings while striking out three. Instead, Las Vegas reliever Winston Abreu (3-3) earned the win after a scoreless eighth while Link (1-2) suffered his second loss.

The Isotopes will close out their series in Las Vegas with one last game against the 51s. Left-hander Dana Eveland (3-3, 5.03) will take the mound for the ‚¬ËœTopes against Vegas righty Scott Richmond (2-1, 6.67). First pitch from Cashman Field is 8:05 PM MT.

After an eight-game tour of the desert southwest including stops in Las Vegas and Tucson, the Isotopes will return for eight games on May 19 with a full slate of promotions in the offing that includes Isotopes Replica Jersey night, post-game fireworks, and the team's second 50-Cent Hot Dog Night of the year.

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 May 13, 2011


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