PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Topes Tune out Sounds

August 25, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


The Isotopes (71-64) topped the Sounds (51-84) in a 12-7 shootout as the two clubs combined for 29 hits and three homers in the contest.

Scott Van Slyke (3-for-4, 4 R, 3 RBI, 2B, 3B, BB) and Chili Buss combined for seven hits and five RBI. Buss was a perfect 4-for-4 on the night with two runs, two RBI and a walk. The right fielder leads the Pacific Coast League with 94 RBI on the season. Van Slyke was a homer shy from the cycle.

After an hour and 26 minutes rain delay, Stephen Fife (2-4, 6.27) allowed three first-inning runs but only surrendered one more over the next four. Albuquerque scored eight times while he was on the mound, giving the righty the win. He allowed four runs on three hits over five innings of work. Fife also walked four and fanned three.

Anthony Ortega tossed 1.2 innings out of the bullpen, allowing one run on five hits as Nashville climbed to within three of Albuquerque. Onelki Garcia entered with two outs in the seventh and went one inning. He allowed two runs as the Sounds crept back to 9-7. Javy Guerra recorded the final out of the eight following Garcia's departure. He finished the game going a scoreless inning and a third collecting his tenth save in 11 chances.

The Isotopes fell into a 3-0 hole before getting a chance to bat, but got two back in their half of the first. Dee Gordon was hit by a pitch to lead off the game for Albuquerque and swiped second base for his PCL-leading 48th stolen base. Van Slyke then singled scoring Gordon. Buss sent Van Slyke home cutting the lead to one.

Eugenio Velez led off the third with a homer doubling Nashville's lead to 4-2, but it was short lived as Albuquerque fought back in the bottom half.

Van Slyke and Buss each hit safely again in the third and the fourth. The Albuquerque left fielder, Van Slyke, doubled and tripled driving in two while his corner outfield counterpart singled in both frames, scoring one. Eliezer Alfonzo (2-for-4, R, 2 RBI) highlighted the Isotopes four-run fourth frame with his second home run in 11 games with Albuquerque, driving in two.

Alex Castellanos crushed a pinch-hit three-run homer in the eighth putting the game out of reach of Nasvhille.

Former Isotope Aaron Laffey (2-5, 6.82) suffered the loss for the Sounds, allowing eight runs on 11 hits over four innings.

Albuquerque will close out their second to last home series of the season with Nashville tomorrow, August 25 at 6:05 PM before welcoming Round Rock for a four-game set. Matt Palmer (6-7, 3.73) will take the ball in the finale against the Sounds' Johnny Hellweg (11-5, 2.97). Catch all of the game action on 610 AM "The Sports Animal" with Josh Suchon on the call.




Pacific Coast League Stories from August 25, 2013


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