'Topes silenced by Hounds, 9-4
Published on May 29, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release
Three errors by the Albuquerque Isotopes (25-28) combined with a potent Nashville Sounds (23-30) offense contributed to a 9-4 loss Thursday night at Isotopes Park. Chris Barnwell provided the offensive spark for the Isotopes as he collected three hits including his fourth home run of the season in addition to three RBI, but it wasn't enough as the âTopes tasted defeat for the second straight game. Meanwhile, John Gall saw his Isotope-record and PCL-leading 25-game home hitting streak come to an end with an 0-for-5 night.
Nashville began the night much like they ended yesterday, as Laynce Nix crushed a two-out solo home run over the right field fence in the top of the first to give the Sounds an initial 1-0 lead.
The Isotopes responded in the bottom of the second when center fielder Jai Miller slugged a solo blast deep to center to tie the score at 1-1. Andrew Beattie extended the inning by slapping a single to left field and advanced to third on a line drive single down the left field line by Isotopes starter Bobby Keppel. Following a Robert Andino walk, Barnwell drove in Beattie with a single to give the âTopes their only lead of the game, 2-1.
A mental error cost Albuquerque in the third when Keppel cut off Jason Wood while attempting to field a bunt by Tony Gwynn with two out. Nix immediately doubled to right field moving Gwynn to third. With two runners in scoring position, Brad Nelson cleared the bases with a single to right that allowed Nashville to reclaim the lead, 3-2.
Adam Heether led off the fourth with a single to center field and quickly advanced to second on a single from Brendan Katin. A routine groundball hit by Ozzie Chavez to first baseman Tagg Bozied went awry, however, as Bozied attempted to start a double-play but threw the ball into left field, allowing Heether to score the tying run while Katin raced to third and Chavez to scampered into second. Then Sounds starter Sam Narron lined a double to left-center field, clearing the bases and giving the Sounds a four-run lead, 6-2.
Albuquerque cut into the Sounds four-run advantage in the bottom of the fourth when Beattie led off the inning with a single up the middle. Keppel executed a sacrifice bunt to advance Beattie to second before an Andino fly-out allowed Beattie to tag and cruise into third. Barnwell continued his hot-hitting by driving in Beattie with a single up the middle to trim the lead to three at 6-3.
The Sounds added some insurance in the sixth when Katin doubled to left field to begin the inning and scored on a deep fly ball by Chavez that was misplayed by Miller in front of the âTopes Slope in center to pad the lead to 7-3.
In the seventh, Gwynn led of the frame with a single up the middle in front of a Nix single to right. Reliever Randy Williams would throw a wild pitch in the dirt and as the runners were advancing, catcher Paul Hoover threw the ball into center field, allowing Gywnn to score and Nix to coast into third. Vinny Rottino would then hit a sacrifice fly to plate Nix and give the Sounds a 9-3 advantage.
The âTopes made on last stand in the bottom of the seventh when Barnwell blasted a solo homer over the left field fence, but it was not enough as a pair of Sounds relievers would shut down the Isotopes bats over the final two innings to secure the 9-4 victory.
The Isotopes look to the split the four-game series against the Sounds behind flame throwing right-hander Frankie De La Cruz (6-2, 4.35), who will battle Nashville southpaw Lindsay Gulin (1-4, 3.06) in a 7:05 PM start at Isotopes Park.
The âTopes continue an action-packed homestand tomorrow night with an Albuquerque Isotopes T-Shirt giveaway to the first 3,000 fans courtesy of Rocky Mountain RV & Marine. Tickets can be purchased at Isotopes Park or any Ticketmaster outlet, www.ticketmaster.com, or Ticketmaster by phone 505-883-7800. For more information on individual game tickets, season tickets, or mini-plans, visit www.albuquerquebaseball.com or call 505-924-2255.
Pacific Coast League Stories from May 29, 2008
- Sacramento takes Portland with five-run ninth - Portland Beavers
- Grizzlies end losing skid with comeback win, 5-4 - Fresno Grizzlies
- 'Topes silenced by Hounds, 9-4 - Albuquerque Isotopes
- MacLane's Gem Gives Tucson 4-1 Win - Tucson Sidewinders
- Sounds Take Second Straight From 'Topes, 9-4 - Nashville Sounds
- Express sweep doubleheader vs. Zephyrs - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Walk-off homer carries Cubs over Redbirds - Iowa Cubs
- Suspended Game Completed, Scheduled Tilt PPD - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Beavers add Justin Germano to active roster - Portland Beavers
- Oklahoma RedHawks Game Notes - Oklahoma City Comets
- Express Boosts Bullpen - Round Rock Express
- Royals Game Notes - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Sounds Slug 'Topes, 11-3 - Albuquerque Isotopes
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