PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

'Topes sink Sounds

Published on July 8, 2011 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


For the third straight game, the Albuquerque Isotopes (47-41) were the beneficiaries of stellar starting pitching, this time courtesy of John Ely, cruising to 7-1 win over the Nashville Sounds (39-49) on a beautiful Friday night at Isotopes Park. The ‘Topes have now won four games in a row and, with Round Rock's loss to Memphis, have climbed back to within four games in the PCL's American Southern Division.

Ely (5-4) was magnificent through seven innings of work, allowing one run on six hits while walking one and striking out five to earn his second win in as many starts and his fifth of the season. From the fourth to the seventh, Ely retired 11 of 12 batters faced.

With the game knotted in a scoreless tie in the bottom of the third, the Isotopes erupted for a four run rally, all with two outs in the frame. Dee Gordon ignited the uprising with a bunt base hit in front of Justin Sellers, who smashed a double off the wall in right, scoring the speedy Gordon from first and giving the ‘Topes a 1-0 lead. After a walk to Jerry Sands, John Lindsey crushed a two-run double to increase the Albuquerque lead to 3-0. It proved to be a costly hit, however, as Lindsey strained his left hamstring rounding first and had to leave the game. Russ Mitchell entered the game as a pinch-runner for Lindsey and immediately scored when Trayvon Robinson bounced an infield hit that shortstop Eric Farris picked up and promptly threw away, allowing Mitchell to scamper home and make the score 4-0 ‘Topes.

The Sounds picked up a run in the fourth on an RBI groundout by Wil Nieves, but the Isotopes answered with three in the bottom of the frame to take a stranglehold on the game. The rally started with back-to-back singles by Ely and Gordon before Sellers smacked a single to center. Sounds outfielder Brett Carroll's throw back to the infield was wild, however, allowing Ely to trot home and increase the home team's lead to 5-1. Sands then capped the inning with a two-run single, making it 7-1.

With Ely in control, that's all the scoring the ‘Topes would need, as the starter handed off to reliever Joe Newby, who authored a perfect eighth before Travis Schlichting slammed the door on the Sounds with a one-two-three ninth. The trio of Ely, Newby, and Schlichting combined to retire the last 10 batters of the game to seal the 7-1 Albuquerque victory.

Albuquerque looks to keep rolling Saturday behind righty Tim Sexton (3-1, 5.10), who will take the mound for the ‘Topes against Sounds righty Mike Fiers (0-0, No ERA) in a 7:05 PM start from Isotopes Park.

The Isotopes' fun-filled homestand continues Saturday with the team's second fireworks spectacular in six days before wrapping up Sunday with a baseball giveaway courtesy of Dr. Greg LoPour DDS. 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

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Pacific Coast League Stories from July 8, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central