PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

'Topes Rally to Salvage Doubleheader Split with Sounds

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


NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Facing a demoralizing doubleheader sweep, the Albuquerque Isotopes (54-40) scored eight runs in the top of the sixth to erase a five-run deficit and cruise to an 8-5 win over the Nashville Sounds (42-53) in the second game of a doubleheader Sunday night at Greer Stadium. The rally in the night-cap helped Albuquerque rebound from a defeat in the first game of the twin-bill, a game won by Nashville 2-1 on a walk-off solo homer.

Trailing 5-0 in the top of the sixth of the second game, Sounds starter, and former "˜Tope, Claudio Vargas had held the Isotopes hitless until newest Isotope Ozzie Martinez ignited the rally by legging out an infield hit to lead off the frame. After Brian Cavazos-Galvez singled to center, Trent Oeltjen put the "˜Topes on the board with a two-run double, cutting the Sounds lead to 5-2. Alex Castellanos then drew a one-out walk and Josh Fields hammered a single to right, scoring Oeltjen and trimming the deficit to 5-3. Josh Bard brought Albuquerque within 5-4 with an RBI single in front of Matt Angle, who added a single of his own to shallow center. Sounds centerfielder Logan Schafer fielded the ball, but his throw to third sailed into the Sounds dugout, allowing Fields to trot home with the tying run. Tyler Henson gave Albuquerque a lead with an RBI single to center before Cavazos-Galvez added some insurance in the form of a two-run double to put the Isotopes improbably ahead 8-5. When the inning was finally over, the "˜Topes sent 12 men to the plate, scoring eight runs on eight hits on four different Nashville pitchers and setting season highs for both runs and hits in a single frame.

Albuquerque then slammed the door, as Scott Rice and Angel Guzman pitched a scoreless sixth and seventh, respectively, to give the Isotopes an 8-5 win.

The first contest was just as dramatic as the second, albeit with vastly different results. After the Sounds grabbed a 1-0 lead on a home run by Schafer in the third, the Isotopes answered in the top of the fourth. Angle drew a lead-off walk and, after a single and sacrifice moved him to third, trotted home on a single by Oeltjen to knot the game at 1-1. Oeltjen finished the first contest with a team-high three hits.

Still knotted at 1-1 heading into the bottom of the seventh and final frame, Schafer ended it with one swing of his bat, blasting his second solo homer of the game over the wall in right-center to propel Nashville to a dramatic 2-1 win. The first contest ended up being about missed opportunities for the Isotopes, who left 11 men on base, including the bases loaded twice.

Albuquerque will return home Monday for a four-game series with the Memphis Redbirds, Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. Right-hander Stephen Fife 7-5, 4.53) will get the ball for the Isotopes against "˜Birds right-hander Brandon Dickson (4-8, 3.58) in a 7:05 PM start from Isotopes Park.

The "˜Topes are back home tomorrow for an eight-game homestand packed with excitement, including a replica jersey giveaway, fireworks, and the always popular Dukes Retro Night. 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 July 15, 2012


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