PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

'Topes Split a Pair with I-Cubs 11-10, 6-8

Published on August 31, 2010 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


Despite being down four runs with only one out in the top of the first, the Albuquerque Isotopes (69-67) plated 11 runs in the first three innings and held on for an 11-10 comeback victory against the Iowa Cubs (78-60) in a suspended game from July 30 before seeing a 5-2 lead disappear in the second game, falling 8-6 in what proved to be a wild Tuesday night of baseball at Isotopes Park. By virtue of Oklahoma City's doubleheader rainout against Nashville, the 'Topes still remain three games back of the RedHawks in the PCL's American Southern Division with six games to play.

After yielding four runs in the top of the first before rain suspended the first contest on July 30, Ivan De Jesus Jr. got the 'Topes rolling on Tuesday by roping a two-run single before Justin Sellers crushed a grand slam in the first inning to put the Isotopes up 6-4 and Albuquerque never looked back.

One inning later, Michael Restovich laced an RBI double putting Albuquerque ahead 7-4 before the home erupted for four more tallies in the third. With the bases loaded and one run already in, right fielder Trent Oeltjen hammered a two-run double, extending the advantage to 10-4. Oeltjen would find his way home to put the Isotopes up 11-4 on the Cubs thanks to a Russ Mitchell single two batters later.

The I-Cubs clawed their way back to make things interesting, scoring twice in the fifth and three more times in the seventh to draw within 11-9. Closer Scott Dohmann was summoned in the ninth to close the door and, despite giving up a solo homer to Bryan LaHair, was able to bend no further, securing the save in a wild 11-10 Isotopes win.

In game two of Tuesday's twin-bill, the Isotopes took a quick upper hand on the Cubs when Oeljten and De Jesus Jr. both blasted singles to lead off the bottom of the first inning. With two outs and both men still on base, Jamie Hoffmann hit a three-run home run to put Albuquerque up 3-0.

However, the Cubs came storming back. Marquez Smith hit two home runs, one solo shot in the third to make it a 5-2 ball game and another two-run home run in the fifth to cut the Albuquerque lead down to 5-4. Smith was also part of a six hit, four run inning in the sixth that helped Iowa seize control. With the Cubs already up 6-5, Smith pelted a line-drive single to right field to score center fielder James Adduci to put Iowa up, 7-5. Iowa added one more in the inning for a three run lead.

Travis Denker

hit a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to cut the Cubs lead from 8-6, but Jeff Stevens silenced Albuquerque bats in the final frame to lock an Iowa victory.

The Isotopes will look to re-start a winning streak on Wednesday behind right-hander Tim Corcoran (8-8, 6.65), who will take on Cubs righty Jay Jackson (11-8, 4.28) in a 6:35 PM start from Isotopes Park.

Albuquerque's series with the Iowa Cubs continues on Wednesday before the 'Topes wrap up their 2010 regular season home finale on Thursday featuring souvenir soda cubs courtesy of Dr Pepper and an encore performance by Myron Noodleman. 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.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 31, 2010


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