Zs Put Topes to Bed in Game Three
Published on July 28, 2013 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release
Albuquerque (61-48) pushed two runs across in the ninth but could not plate the tying run, stranding Justin Sellers on third base and falling 3-2 to New Orleans (53-56).
Scott Van Slyke opened the ninth inning with a walk as the Isotopes made some offensive noise for the first time of the contest. Chili Buss followed with a single and both runners came around to score on Sellers' team-leading 24th double of the season but they would come no closer.
Stephen Fife (1-2, 3.42) made his second start for the Isotopes on a rehab assignment for the Dodgers. He had been placed on the disabled list with right shoulder bursitis on July 8th.
The Dodgers' right hander was strong in his outing, but suffered the tough-luck loss. He struck out seven hitters over six innings of work without allowing an earned run. New Orleans collected just three hits against him, including a double in the fourth by Jordan Brown that led to the unearned run. Fife tossed 81 pitches and fired 55 strikes.
Neither Fife nor New Orleans' starter Brian Flynn budged through the first three innings. The Zephyrs were aided by an error putting the first run on the board in the fourth resulting in an unearned run for Fife.
Luis Vasquez entered in the seventh and surrendered a run as Albuquerque fell behind 2-0. Vasquez got out of the inning with a strike out as John Baker tossed out Chris Valaiki trying to steal second on the pitch. He retired the side in order the eighth, striking out the final two batters.
Anthony Ortega finished the game for Albuquerque. He gave up a home run to Kevin Kouzmanoff as the Zephyrs pulled ahead 3-0.
Former Isotope Josh Wall came on for New Orleans in the eighth with Albuquerque trailing by two. Tony Gwynn Jr. was hit by a pitch with one out and a wild pitch put him on second. Alex Castellanos made a bid to put the Isotopes on the board with a deep drive to left centerfield but Brian Petersen chased it down taking the hit away.
Tony Gwynn Jr. went 2-for-2 and drew a walk, collecting his 23rd multi-hit game of the season. He was the only Isotopes to collect two hits. Flynn (4-10, 3.14) earned the win for the Zephyrs firing seven scoreless frames.
Albuquerque and New Orleans complete their final series of the 2013 at Isotopes Park tomorrow, July 29 at 12:05 PM MDT. Jonathan Sanchez (3-1, 5.87) will take the hill for the Isotopes against righty Doug Mathis (5-7, 3.64). The two clubs will face each other once more this season in the last series of the season at Zephyr Field. Listen to all the action on 610 "The Sports Animal" with Josh Suchon on the call.
Pacific Coast League Stories from July 28, 2013
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