Topes Win Third in a Row Behind Van Slyke, Pen
April 7, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release
The Isotopes (3-0) won their third straight game against the Iowa Cubs (0-3) by a score of 8-3 behind another stellar effort by the bullpen. 1B Scott Van Slyke(4-for-5) knocked in five of the Albuquerque's eight runs in the contest and picked up his first double of the season. The Isotopes victory spanned 3:22 and was played in front of 7,744 fans.
RHP Chris Withrow was brilliant in his Triple-A debut earning the win and pitching two scoreless innings in relief of starter Blake Johnson (3.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 3 K). Withrow struck out three I-Cub hitters and was perfect except for a two-out walk. Albuquerque's bullpen has shouldered a heavy workload in each of the first three games of the series, tossing a 16.0 innings. Four relievers combined for six scoreless innings Saturday night.
RHP Red Patterson entered the game in the seventh inning surrendered just a walk over two innings. The 2012 Pacific Coast League leader in saves (28) from 2012, Josh Wall, earned his first of the season. Wall faced one batter in the eighth, who he struck out looking, when he came in with the bases loaded and two outs to protect the Topes one-run lead. He allowed two hits in 1.1 innings of work.
Albuquerque put two on the board in their first at-bat. 2B Elian Herrera and RF Alex Castellanos hit back-to-back singles setting the stage for 3B Scott Van Slyke. Van Slyke doubled home the pair putting the Isotopes in front of Iowa 2-0. Van Slyke is 6-for-11 in the series.
The Iowa Cubs bounced right back the next half inning tying the game at two. The first batters of the frame reached base safely. LF Ryan Sweeney (3-for-3) and catcher J.C. Boscan (1-for-3) both singled in front of Edwin Maysonet's walk loading the bases. I-Cub starting pitcher Brooks Raley grounded into a force out to score Sweeney and Boscan came around on a Herrera throwing error.
Iowa took its first lead of the game in the top of the third inning. Brad Nelson (1-for-3) continued his hot hitting from the Friday's game by leading off the frame with his first double of the season. Two batters later Sweeney drove in his fellow Iowa native plate as Iowa took a 3-2 advantage.
The I-Cubs lead was short lived as the Isotopes turned a one-run deficit into a one-run lead in its half of the third. RF Alex Castellanos (1-for-3) led-off the frame with a walk and then stole his third base of the year. Van Slyke led came up with a single to left field scoring Castellanos on the play. LF Rusty Ryal (2-for-4) followed with a double driving Van Slyke home putting Albuquerque back in front 4-3.
Van Slyke capped a terrific night and highlighted a four-run ninth inning with a two-run single. Van Slyke went 4-for-5 picking up a team-high five RBI.
The Isotopes look for the four-game sweep of the Iowa Cubs tomorrow, Sunday, April 7. Albuquerque right-hander Javy Guerra (0-0) will take the mound against Iowa's RHP Nick Struck (0-0). Catch all the action from the final game of the series with play-by-play broadcaster Josh Suchon on 610-AM "The Sports Animal."
• Discuss this story on the Pacific Coast League message board...
Pacific Coast League Stories from April 7, 2013
- Gray, Choice Lead Cats to 8-4 Win - Sacramento River Cats
- Rainiers Foiled By Fresno, 5-4 - Tacoma Rainiers
- Isotopes Complete Sweep of Iowa - Albuquerque Isotopes
- RedHawks Outlast Memphis 14-10 in Extras - Oklahoma City Baseball Club
- Aces Top Sky Sox 14-1 to Split Series - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Buck, Weber Propel Tucson past Salt Lake 9-1 - Tucson Padres
- Isotopes Complete Sweep of Cubs - Iowa Cubs
- Aces Earn Series Split with 14-1 Win - Reno Aces
- Sounds Fall to Zephyrs, 3-1 - Nashville Sounds
- Zephyrs Defeat Nashville 3-1 - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Round Rock Falls to Omaha, 5-2 - Round Rock Express
- RedHawks Game Notes: April 7, 2013 - Oklahoma City Baseball Club
- Albuquerque Curse Continues for Cubs - Iowa Cubs
- Topes Win Third in a Row Behind Van Slyke, Pen - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Peterson Returns, Cats Lose To 51s, 6-1 - Sacramento River Cats
- Zunino Leads Rainiers Past Fresno, 8-6 - Tacoma Rainiers
- Salt Lake wins over Tucson - Tucson Padres
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.
