PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

'Topes Trio of Homers Help Topple Nashville 11-9

Published on June 26, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


Starter Will Savage picked up his 10th win of the season with some help from a trio of home runs as the Albuquerque Isotopes (45-33) hung on for an 11-9 victory over the Nashville Sounds (31-47) on Monday night at Isotopes Park. Division rival Oklahoma City lost its contest at Omaha, allowing the 'Topes to reclaim sole possession of first place in the PCL American Southern Division.

The game was a see-saw battle throughout the early innings with the 'Topes jumping on the board first. Alex Castellanos smacked a single to center and Josh Fields roped an RBI double to right to give Albuquerque an early 1-0 edge. Two batters later, Luis Cruz ripped an RBI single to left that scored Fields and extended the lead 2-0.

The Sounds responded in the second when Andy Gonzalez skied a single to center and Jason Jaramillo crushed a two-run homer that knotted the score 2-2. However, the 'Topes quickly regained the lead in the bottom half of the frame when Josh Bard blasted a solo shot to center to put Albuquerque up 3-2.

Nashville tied the game 3-3 in the third with an RBI double from Caleb Gindl, and grabbed their first and only lead of the game one inning later with a solo homer from Jordan Brown to go ahead 4-3.

Albuquerque then erupted for five runs in its half of the fourth, beginning with a leadoff, solo homer from Jerry Sands. Matt Angle and Bard followed with back-to-back singles allowing Trent Oeltjen to score Angle on a sac-fly and even the tally at 4-4. Castellanos drew a walk to put two runners on for Fields, who smashed a three-run homer that put the Isotopes up 8-4. Fields finished the game with a season-high four RBI.

The home team padded its lead in the seventh when Cruz belted a leadoff double in front of a walk to Sands. Angle then slapped an RBI single to extend the 'Topes advantage 9-4. With two runners in scoring position, Bard grounded out to third baseman Andy Gonzalez, plating Sands and making it 10-4. Nashville reliever Victor Garate proceeded to balk, sending Angle home from third and widening the Sounds deficit 11-4.

The insurance runs proved vital as the visitors rallied for five runs in the ninth before Albuquerque stopped the bleeding and collected the final outs of the contest for an 11-9 victory.

Albuquerque and Nashville conclude their four-game set tomorrow afternoon with 'Topes righty Stephen Fife (5-4, 4.72) battling Sounds right-hander and former 'Tope Claudio Vargas (2-0, 4.83) in a 12:05 PM start from The Lab.

The Isotopes conclude their eight-game homestand tomorrow with a Business Person's Special, before hitting the road for sets against the Memphis Redbirds and Omaha Storm Chasers. The team returns to Albuquerque on July 4 for an action-packed homestand the features fireworks, live entertainment acts and the first of two 'Topes baseball clinics. 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 .

Check out the Albuquerque Isotopes Statistics

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



Pacific Coast League Stories from June 26, 2012


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