PCL Baseball: With McPherson out, ’Topes split doubleheader

| The New Mexican

6/28/2008 - 6/29/08

The Albuquerque Isotopes were without the biggest bat in their lineup for a second straight game.

But Albuquerque still had plenty of pop left, at least for seven innings.

The Isotopes hammered their way to an 11-6 win in Game 1 of a doubleheader with Iowa at Principal Park in Des Moines on Saturday in Pacific Coast League baseball. Game 2 was another story. Albuquerque was anything but potent in a 9-3 Iowa win.

Following a short rest, the Isotopes (39-43) were again with the services of third baseman Dallas McPherson in Game 2, but not even the PCL leader in home runs (28) could spark a significant rally. McPherson's PCL record-tying streak of seven straight games with a home run also ended Saturday — by a total of one base. McPherson had a two-RBI triple in the sixth.

The Isotopes collected 13 hits in the opener, including a pair of two-run homers by John Gall and Jai Miller. Gall finished his day at the dish 2-for-4 with five RBIs. Chase Lambin was 2-for-4 with four RBIs. Josh Wolf (3-1) got the win. Carmen Pignatiello (0-1) was tagged with the loss.

Marcos Carvajal (1-2) got the loss in Game 2. Jesse Estrada (1-0) was the winner.

Iowa (48-36) was dominant in the night cap, jumping ahead 7-0 after three innings. The Cubs are 3-2 in the six-game series, which concludes today. First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. Gaby Hernandez (2-6, 6.48 ERA) takes the mound for Albuquerque versus Jeff Samardzija (0-1, 4.50).