PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

'Topes Rally Past I-Cubs for 4-3 Win

Published on June 15, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


The Albuquerque Isotopes (39-30) scored three times in the eighth to surge past the Iowa Cubs (29-40) for a dramatic 4-3 win Friday night at Principal Park. Albuquerque has now won four straight road games and has a six-game winning streak against the Iowa Cubs, tying a franchise high set in 2005. The win also brings the "˜Topes to within 1.5 games of Oklahoma City in the Pacific Coast League's American Southern Division.

Trailing 3-1 in the eighth inning, Alex Castellanos ignited the Isotopes rally by lining a ball that deflected off Iowa reliever, Major League veteran, and former Dodger Mike MacDougal and trickled in the direction of third base for a leadoff infield single. Two batters later, Scott Van Slyke drew a one-out walk, setting up the hero of the night Luis Cruz, who smashed a double off the wall in deep center field, allowing both runners to streak home and tie the game at 3-3. Iowa then made a pitching change, sending in reliever Rafael Dolis, but Albuquerque wasn't finished, as Jerry Sands smashed a single up the middle, plating Cruz and giving the "˜Topes a dramatic 4-3 edge.

Like they have all season long, the Albuquerque relief corps would make the one-run lead stand as strong as oak. Scott Rice delivered a perfect one-two-three eighth, before handing the baton to lefty Will Ledezma (3), who pitched around a one-out single in the ninth to secure his third save and the thrilling 4-3, come-from-behind triumph.

Not only did the Isotopes score the game's last runs, they scored its first as well, plating a run in the top of the first when Trent Oeltjen led off the game with a single, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and scored on a two-out double by Van Slyke to put the visitors on the board 1-0.

Iowa answered quickly, scoring a pair of runs in the second to seize its first lead of the contest. With runners at the corners and no outs, Juan Apodaca laced an infield single to third, allowing Brett Jackson to score and tie the game at 1-1. After another soft single by Matt Tolbert loaded the bases, "˜Topes starter Stephen Fife coaxed a comebacker from his counterpart Frankie De La Cruz that the Isotopes hurler converted into a 1-to-2-to-3 double-play. The sterling defensive work only served to delay the inevitable, however, as Alfredo Amezaga slapped a single to left that scored Apodaca and gave the Cubs a 2-1 lead. The inning could've been worse if not for another great defensive play in left by Sands, who picked up Amezaga's base hit and threw a laser to the plate that cut down Tolbert at home to end the inning.

Tolbert would get his revenge, and Iowa that elusive third tally, in the sixth when the Cubs shortstop lined a two-out RBI single to right, giving Iowa a 3-1 lead but setting up Albuquerque's eighth inning heroics.

Albuquerque will meet the I-Cubs again on Saturday looking for its third straight win with right-hander John Ely (6-4, 3.24) taking on Cubs lefty Chris Rusin (5-4, 3.81) in a 6:05 PM start from Principal Park.

After a quick trip to Iowa, the Isotopes are back home this Tuesday for an action-packed eight-game homestand that includes a rally towel giveaway, free camo hats, and a Saturday fireworks extravaganza. 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.abqisotopes.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from June 15, 2012


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