Topes Topple in Second Straight
May 18, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release
The Isotopes (20-21) scored three times in the first two innings but were held scoreless over the next five frames en route to a 9-4 defeat to Reno (16-26). CF Matt Angle collected two of the Topes seven hits and two RBI against the top ranked prospect in the Diamondbacks system, southpaw Tyler Skaggs.
Reno turned in three runs before an out was recorded in Friday night's contest. Lead-off man Brad Snyder opened the game with a walk. The Aces were then aided offensively by a Brian Barden error at third base allowing SS Chris Owings to reach safely. 1B Kila Ka'aihue, the Pacific Coast League leader in home runs, smashed his 10th long ball on the season to center field putting Reno in front 3-0.
The Isotopes had an answer with two outs in their half of the first. Angle (2-for-3) singled on a bunt down the first base line to lead off the game for Albuquerque. Three batters later, 1B Rusty Ryal (1-for-3) doubled for the seventh time this year pulling the Topes to within two of Reno 3-1.
2B Alfredo Amezaga (2-for-4) and pitcher Aaron Laffey singled in the second inning with the Topes looking to erase a two-run deficit. Angle then drove in the pair on his third triple of the season tying the game at three.
The Aces snagged the lead back in the fourth following the first scoreless inning of the contest. With one out in the frame catcher Tuffy Gosewisch hit a solo home run to left field putting Reno on top of Albuquerque 4-3. An inning later, Owings and Ka'aihue singled to lead off putting runners on the corners. 3B Matt Davidson then improved the advantage to 5-3 on a sacrifice fly to right field.
Reno wasn't done offensively putting four additional runs on the board in the seventh on four consecutive hits before recording an out. Owings doubled for the 11th time this season plating pitcher Tyler Skaggs and Snyder. A batter later, Ka'aihue homered for the second time of the game and the 11th time on the season putting an exclamation point on the evening for Reno.
The Topes inched closer in the eight cutting the Aces lead to 9-4. SS Justin Sellers collected his first hit of the night and was subsequently sent home by Amezaga's seventh double of the year.
Isotopes starter Aaron Laffey (1-1, 5.19) gave his club six innings but exited the game trailing 5-3 suffering the loss. Four of the five runs allowed by the southpaw were earned on seven hits. He also walked two, struck out two and surrendered two home runs. RHP Steve Smith struggled to find his grove giving up four runs on four hits, including a homer, in his inning of relief Righties Josh Wall and Chris Withrow combined for two scoreless innings to finish the game.
LHP Tyler Skaggs earned the win for the Aces improving to 3-5 on the season with a 5.93 ERA. He allowed three runs on seven hits and fanned five hitters.
Albuquerque squares off against Reno for game three of the four-game series tomorrow, May 18 at 7:05 PM MDT from Isotopes Park. RHP Matt Palmer (1-1, 5.59) will make his fifth start of the season and will be opposed by Reno's right-handed pitcher Randall Delgado (0-3, 9.09). Catch all of the game action on 610 AM "The Sports Animal" with Josh Suchon on the call.
Tickets are on sale now at the Isotopes Park Box Office, at Ticketmaster outlets, through Ticketmaster by phone at (800) 745-3000, or online at www.abqisotopes.com or www.ticketmaster.com. For information, please call (505) 924-2255.
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