PCL: Record day in Albuquerque in Isotopes' loss

Pancho Morris | The New Mexican

7/4/2008 - 7/5/08

ALBUQUERQUE — There were more rumps than seats Friday night at Isotopes Park, which opened for business in 2003.

But all the standing-room-only record baseball crowd of 15,189 was treated to was post-game fireworks to celebrate the Fourth of July.

Well, at least those rooting for an Albuquerque victory, which was just about everybody that exceeded the 13,279 capacity and the previous franchise high of 15,020 that walked through the turnstiles on July 3, 2006.

New Orleans extended Albuquerque's losing streak to seven games with a 9-6 victory in the opener of a three-game series between the bottom two teams of the American Southern Division of the Pacific Coast League.

The Isotopes dipped to a 1 1/2 games behind the Zephyrs. The seven straight setbacks are a season-worst. The franchise record is 0-for-9, set in 2004.

The Zephyrs are 5-0 this season against Albuquerque, sweeping the first meeting in New Orleans. The Zephyrs were sitting comfortably, leading 7-0 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning.

After plating a run in the first inning, New Orleans parlayed three hits and three walks, including two with the bases loaded, into a four-run third inning. John Rodriguez added a two-run homer in the seventh.

The first five runs were changed to 'Topes starter Gaby Hernandez, who dropped his fifth decision over his last eight starts. Hernandez (2-8) never made it out of the third inning.

Through five innings, the Isotopes had four hits off New Orleans starter — and winner — Claudio Vargas. Vargas (2-1) left after five, walking one and striking out seven.

The New Orleans bullpen maintained the lead, but not the gap.

Albuquerque stitched together four hits in its seventh. Three runs scored, including two on Andrew Beattie's homer.

New Orleans got one run back in the eighth and another in the ninth. The Isotopes countered with a three-run ninth, the final two scoring on Tagg Bozied's homer.

TODAY'S GAME

Who: New Orleans Zephyrs (41-48) vs. Albuquerque Isotopes (39-49)

When: 7:05 p.m.

Where: Isotopes Park

Probable pitchers: RHP Brandon Knight (2-1, 2.21) vs. RHP Frankie De La Cruz (9-3, 4.12)

On air: 610-AM KNML