PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

'Topes finish road swing with 4-2 win in Nashville

Published on June 6, 2006 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


Tom Wilson hit a two-run homer in the fourth and Matt Blank came out of the bullpen to toss 4.2 scoreless innings Tuesday night as the Albuquerque Isotopes (35-25) rolled to a 4-2 victory over Nashville (33-26) in the series finale at Greer Stadium.

Wilson's two-run blast put Albuquerque ahead 3-0, and despite a two-run Nashville fourth inning, Blank and the ‘Topes bullpen kept the Sounds quiet from that point on and sealed the Isotopes victory and a series split.

‘Topes starter Chris George exited after three-plus innings. He was charged with two runs on three hits, striking out one. Blank (1-1) allowed just one hit over 4.2 innings, keeping Nashville off the scoreboard and earning the victory. Brad Clontz recorded the final four outs and picked up the save.

Nashville starter Justin Lehr (0-2) took the loss. He allowed four runs-three earned-on eight hits through seven innings.

After scoring seven times in the ninth inning on Monday, the ‘Topes kept it going with a quick tally in the top half of the first on Tuesday. Eric Reed reached on a bunt single to start the game and advanced to second on a throwing error by the catcher who fielded the ball out in front of the plate. Reed scooted to third on a Robert Andino single to right and he came around to score two batters later when Scott Seabol hit a sacrifice fly to center, putting the ‘Topes ahead 1-0 early.

In the fourth, the ‘Topes augmented the lead. After Seabol doubled to lead off the frame, Wilson crushed his seventh home run of the season, pushing the Albuquerque lead to 3-0 after 3 ½.

The Sounds would answer back, though, in the bottom half. George surrendered a single and back-to-back walks to start off the bottom of the fourth, ending his evening after three-plus innings. Blank came on in relief and allowed consecutive sacrifice flies by Mike Rivera and Vinny Rottino, respectively, to put Nashville back in the ballgame, 3-2.

The game remained that way until the seventh, when the ‘Topes struck again and got a run back. Blank helped his own cause with a single up the middle, and Reed made sure it counted, doubling to center to push across the fourth ‘Topes run.

After the Sounds went quiet in the seventh, it took three Isotopes hurlers to finish off a scoreless eighth. Blank retired the first two batters of the inning before being replaced on the hill by Ross Wolf. The young right-hander allowed a single and walk, bringing the go-ahead run to the plate. Clontz was inserted to face Rivera and he promptly ended the threat with a five-pitch strikeout.

Nashville loaded the bases in the final frame, but Clontz wouldn't budge, striking out Brent Abernathy to finish the game and earn his 10th save.

The Isotopes will now take a day off before returning to Albuquerque to open up an eight-game homestand. The stretch kicks-off with a 7:05 p.m. MT first pitch on Thursday against Memphis. The Isotopes will give the ball to Jason Vargas (1-1, 5.96) and the Redbirds are set to counter with John Webb (3-4, 4.07)

Check out the Albuquerque Isotopes Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from June 6, 2006


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