Wheeler, Adames Go Deep Twice as Isotopes Beat Rainiers 8-6
April 22, 2015 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release
NEED TO KNOW: Tim Wheeler and Cristhian Adames each mashed two home runs Tuesday night at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, WA, to lead the Albuquerque Isotopes (8-5) to an 8-6 win against the Tacoma Rainiers (4-9) in the opening game of a four-game series. Wheeler mashed a grand slam in the first and followed it with a solo shot in the sixth. Adames blasted a pair of solo homers in the third and seventh innings.
DECIDING MOMENT: Early offense has been the key to Albuquerque wins this season, and Tuesday proved to be no different. Brandon Barnes ripped a leadoff single, and Cristhian Adames followed with a walk in the top of the first. After two quick outs, Dustin Garneau walked to load the bases. Designated hitter Tim Wheeler then blasted a 2-2 pitch over the right field wall, giving Albuquerque a 4-0 lead. The Isotopes tacked on one more run in the third for a 5-0 advantage and never looked back.
HELL ON WHEELERS: Tim Wheeler might be the hottest of all the Isotopes currently. After his five RBI performance on Tuesday, he now has 11 RBI in his last five games. Wheeler finished the game 2-for-3 with two runs scored, two homers, a walk and five RBI. His first inning grand slam ignited the Albuquerque offense and was the Isotopes second grand slam in four games after Dustin Garneau's slam at Reno on April 18. During his current five-game streak, Wheeler is batting .526 (10-for-19) with seven runs scored, two doubles, three homers, 11 RBI and three walks. Four of his five homers this season have been against the Rainiers.
ADAMES SWINGING HOT STICK: Coming into the game, shortstop Cristhian Adames had three-straight multi-hit performances and managed to top them all with a two home run showing Tuesday night. The blasts were his first dingers of the season. He belted a solo shot in the third and followed in with another in the seventh. On the season, Adames is batting .365 (19-for-52) with nine runs scored, four doubles, two homers, seven RBI and six walks. He has turned in at least two hits in seven of his last eight outings and leads all Isotopes with seven multi-hit games.
POUNDING PAULSEN: Paulsen extended his hitting streak to a team season-longest 11 games with his 1-for-4 outing. During his streak, he is hitting .375 (15-for-40) with seven runs scored, four doubles, a homer, eight RBI and five walks. His best outing came at Reno when he posted a 4-for-4 showing with three runs scored, two doubles and three RBI. His streak also includes a pinch-hit home run on April 12 against the Aces at Isotopes Park.
ON DECK: The Isotopes and Rainiers will square off in game two of the four-game set Wednesday night at 8:05 p.m. MT. Albuquerque will send right-hander Chad Bettis (1-1, 5.23) to the mound, while Tacoma will go with left-hander Mike Kickham (0-1, 6.75).
IN THE HOLE: Following Albuquerque's four-game set in Tacoma, the Isotopes will continue their season-longest 12-game, 13-day road trip to Las Vegas for a four-game series against the Las Vegas, 51s. The Topes return home on April 30 to host the Salt Lake Bees.
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