Iowa takes series finale, 10-6

Three-run seventh inning for Iowa puts game out of reach for Albuquerque

Returning the favor for the past two nights, the Iowa Cubs used their bats well to win today, 10-6, and avoid a series sweep at the hands of the Isotopes.

The I-Cubs held a 7-4 lead until the top half of the seventh inning, when Bobby Scales hit a bases-loaded chop double off ‘Topes reliever Travis Schlichting to bring home all three runners. Schlichting had forced the I-Cubs’ Marquez Smith and Matt Camp into ground outs to begin the seventh, but that was followed by a double from Jonathan Mota and a pair of walks from pinch-hitter Brian LaHair and Fernando Perez to set up Scales’ big double.

Albuquerque took the point, 2-0, in the bottom of the second after newcomer Charlie Mirabal knocked in two runs with a double to left field. Mirabal’s first Triple-A hit brought home Damaso Espino and Joe Becker.

However, Iowa battled back and tagged ‘Topes starter Randy Keisler with two runs of their own in the third inning to tie the game. The I-Cubs followed that with a five-run outburst in the fourth inning. That wound up chasing off Keisler, who gave up seven runs (all earned) on eight hits over 3 2/3 innings of work.

The ‘Topes cut the lead to 7-4 in their half of the fourth on the strength of a Mirabal ground out that scored Keyter Collado and a RBI single from Keisler’s replacement on the mound, Ramon Troncoso. But with Troncoso on second (the result of a balk) and Dee Gordon on first (walk), Trent Oeltjen struck out and Jerry Sands grounded out, ending the ‘Topes’ rally.

An RBI triple from Sands and a Jon Link grounder that brought him home allowed Albuquerque to cut the lead to 10-6 in the bottom of the ninth, but the I-Cubs’ Scott Maine forced Trayvon Robinson into a ground out to end the contest.

Taking the win for Iowa was starter Roberto Coello, who pitched five innings and gave up four runs (all earned) on eight hits. He struck out four.

The ‘Topes now head on the road for a bit, starting tomorrow in Oklahoma City. After Friday, Saturday and Monday games against the RedHawks, they’ll be in Des Moines starting Tuesday to battle these same I-Cubs for four games on their turf.

As far as injuries are concerned, the ‘Topes had more trouble on Thursday as John Lindsey strained his right calf muscle. Evaluations are pending on last year’s Pacific Coast League batting champion. Espino was also hit in the head during an at-bat but managed to get up and walk to first, then eventually score off of Mirabal’s second-inning double before he left the game. He did not sustain a concussion and has been cleared to play tomorrow against the RedHawks.

For a full recap of today’s game, check out AlbuquerqueBaseball.com later this evening.

— Chris Estrada

Oeltjen jacks two HRs in 10-7 ‘Topes win

Albuquerque aiming for series sweep tomorrow

Trent Oeltjen paced another solid offensive outing for the Isotopes tonight, going three-for-five and hitting two home runs to help Albuquerque defeat the Iowa Cubs, 10-7.

Oeltjen hit a solo shot in the third inning and a two-run homer in the fourth inning off I-Cubs starter Austin Bibens-Dirkx. He also hit an RBI single in the sixth inning for a four-RBI night.

Albuquerque took a 3-0 lead in the second inning when Trayvon Robinson hit a three-run blast into the Creamland Berm, bringing home Jerry Sands and J.D. Closser. The ‘Topes then made it 4-0 in the next inning on Oeltjen’s first home run of the night.

Iowa plated a pair of runs in the top of the fourth to cut the lead to 4-2, but Albuquerque responded with five runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning. Closser and Robinson opened with back-to-back singles, which was followed by Justin Sellers getting hit in the hand with a pitch. With pinch-runner Joe Becker taking Sellers’ place at first, pitcher Francisco Felix stepped up and singled to left field, scoring Closser and Robinson.

Dee Gordon then grounded out to bring home Becker from third base for a 7-2 ‘Topes lead. One batter later, Oeltjen turned on a 2-1 pitch from Bibens-Dirkx and sent it into the Berm to make it 9-2 ‘Topes.

That five-run outburst effectively put the game out of reach, even though Iowa tried to rally by scoring four runs over the final three innings.

Taking the win for Albuquerque was Felix, who stepped in for starting pitcher Jon Link with two outs in the fourth inning. Felix gave up one run on two hits over 2 1/3 innings. Getting the save was Roman Colon, who pitched 1 2/3 innings and struck out the I-Cubs’ Chris Robinson to seal the victory in the top of the ninth.

Bibens-Dirkx took the loss for Iowa after getting rocked for nine runs (all earned) on nine hits over four innings of work.

Several ‘Topes suffered some injury trouble tonight. Sellers wound up with a contusion on his right hand after getting hit in the fourth inning, while Juan Castro sustained a left oblique strain while batting. Also, Closser received a black eye after a ground ball bounced up and hit him. Evaluations are pending on all three players.

For a full recap of tonight’s game, check out the game story on AlbuquerqueBaseball.com later tonight.

— Chris Estrada

‘Topes rock I-Cubs, 18-3

Robinson, Sands and Oeltjen launch homers for Albuquerque

No extra-inning drama tonight — the Isotopes certainly made sure of that.

Albuquerque’s Trayvon Robinson broke a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the third inning with a three-run homer and triggered what would end up an 18-3 rout of the Iowa Cubs in front of 7,252 at Isotopes Park.

Everybody seemed to get in on the act as I-Cubs starting pitcher Thomas Diamond was chased off after giving up nine runs (all earned) on eight hits over 3 1/3 innings. He was pulled after allowing a three-run homer by Jerry Sands, which itself was preceded by an RBI single from Jay Gibbons that brought home Dee Gordon.

Sands led the team with five RBI on the night, followed by Trent Oeltjen with four RBI — three of which came on a long ball into the Creamland Berm in the eighth inning. Also knocking in runs were John Lindsey, Russ Mitchell, Juan Castro and Justin Sellers.

The Isotopes also got a great showing on the mound from starter Dana Eveland, who improved to 2-0 on the season. The Major League veteran (Brewers, D-Backs, A’s, Blue Jays and Pirates) went seven innings and allowed three runs (all earned) on six hits while striking out five batters. Reliever Jon Huber came on in the eighth inning and held the I-Cubs scoreless over the final two frames.

Albuquerque jumped ahead in the bottom of the first inning. After a leadoff single and stolen base from Gordon, and walks from Castro and Gibbons, Lindsey hit a sacrifice fly to right field that brought in Gordon to make it 1-0. The next batter, Sands, hit into a force out, but Mitchell then made it 2-0 ‘Topes with a single to left, allowing Castro to score.

Iowa answered back in the top of the second with an RBI triple from Bobby Scales and a ground out by Scott Moore that served to get Scales home and tie the contest.

But Albuquerque’s half of the third inning proved to feature the game’s turning point as Robinson, who cranked out a .300 batting average and 57 RBI last year in Double-A Chattanooga, turned on a 1-0 pitch from Diamond and sent it flying 420 feet into the I-Cubs’ bullpen. After that, it was all downhill for the visitors.

For a more detailed recap of tonight’s contest, head over to AlbuquerqueBaseball.com later on tonight.

— Chris Estrada

‘Topes come from behind, win in 10th inning

Castro ties it, then Gibbons wins it for Albuquerque, 6-5

In the bottom of the ninth inning, with the score tied, and with the bases loaded, the Isotopes had a chance to win it. They came up short.

One inning later, they were back in the same situation. But this time, they didn’t miss out on the opportunity.

Trailing 5-4 going into the 10th, the ‘Topes drew even on an RBI double from Juan Castro and then, with the bags full again, sealed a 6-5 victory over the Iowa Cubs thanks to a RBI single to center from Jay Gibbons.

After a leadoff walk from Trayvon Robinson — who then moved to second on a subsequent sacrifice bunt from Damaso Espino — Castro was called in to pinch-hit for pitcher Scott Elbert. The decision paid off as Castro hit a deep ball to right-center field, allowing Robinson to score and tie the game at 5-5.

The next batter up, Dee Gordon, was hit by I-Cubs pitcher Scott Maine, who then walked Ivan DeJesus, Jr. to load the bases. That set the stage for the heroics of Gibbons, who is currently on a rehab assignment from the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Iowa took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth, but the ‘Topes took the lead back in the bottom of the sixth as Jerry Sands continued his hot start in Triple-A with a two-run homer into the Creamland Berm.

The I-Cubs and ‘Topes then traded a pair of runs each in the seventh inning. Iowa led 3-2 going into the ‘Topes half of the seventh, but an RBI single from DeJesus, Jr. and a sacrifice fly from Sands gave Albuquerque a 4-3 lead.

The lead proved to be short-lived as Iowa tied it back up, 4-4, in the top of the eighth. Elbert took over for Travis Schlichting with two outs in the top of the ninth, but managed to induce a fly ball to end the I-Cubs’ threat.

As for the ‘Topes in their half of the ninth, Gibbons knocked a single up the middle to move DeJesus, Jr. from first to third. Sands was intentionally walked to load the bases, but Russ Mitchell flew out and Justin Sellers lined out to send the game into extras.

Elbert (1 1/3 innings pitched, one run, one hit, three strikeouts) was credited with the victory for Albuquerque, while Maine (1 1/3 innings pitched, two runs (all earned), three hits, one strikeout) took the loss for Iowa.

For more details on tonight’s game, check out AlbuquerqueBaseball.com later tonight for a full recap.

— Chris Estrada

Early Omaha offense proves too much for ‘Topes

Storm Chasers earn series split with 9-6 victory over Albuquerque

A pair of four-run outbursts in the second and third inning each helped propel the Omaha Storm Chasers to a 9-6 victory over the Isotopes on a clear, brisk Sunday at Isotopes Park.

The ‘Topes hit the scoreboard in the bottom of the first. With Dee Gordon on third after a leadoff single and two stolen bases, and Ivan DeJesus, Jr. on second after a walk and a steal of his own, Jamie Hoffmann hit a double down the left field line to bring both runners home and give Albuquerque a 2-0 lead.

Unfortunately for the ‘Topes, the lead did not last. A leadoff double and two walks set the stage for Paulo Orlando’s two-run double to center field, tying the game. Next up was Irving Falu, who tripled to left-center field to get home two more runs for the Storm Chasers, who now led, 4-2.

After the ‘Topes went scoreless in their half of the second, the third inning wasn’t any better for their starting pitcher, Tim Redding. An RBI single from Manny Pina began another four-run inning for Omaha, which also featured a fielder’s choice by Gregor Blanco that brought home a run, an RBI single from Orlando, and then a sacrifice fly from Falu.

Redding took the loss, only going four innings and giving up nine runs (all earned) on eight hits while striking out five batters.

With Omaha now up 8-2, the ‘Topes tried to rally in their half of the third inning. Albuquerque got the bases loaded, and then Russ Mitchell drew a walk to allow Trent Oeltjen to score. Jerry Sands followed with a sacrifice fly that allowed John Lindsey to come home.

After a walk to Justin Sellers, the Storm Chasers handed the ball over to Luis Mendoza. J.D. Closser welcomed him into the contest by smacking a single to center field that drove in one run — but only one, as Mitchell was called out at home plate after attempting to knock the ball out of Pina’s glove in a collision. A ground out by Gordon ended the inning, but the ‘Topes had cut the deficit to 8-5.

But Omaha tacked on another run in the top of the fourth inning to push the gap to 9-5. The ‘Topes made it 9-6 in their half of the fifth with a solo homer from Sands, but that would prove to be the end of the day’s scoring.

Storm Chasers reliever Steven Shell wound up taking the win. He gave up one run (earned) on two hits over the fourth, fifth and sixth innings.

For a more detailed recap of today’s game, please visit AlbuquerqueBaseball.com later tonight.

— Chris Estrada