Albuquerque Loses Two During Dick Monfort Visit

Dick Monfort visited the Isotopes for the first time, May 1st, 2015. Mandatory Credit: Troy Olsen (@Troybuquerque)

Dick Monfort saw the Isotopes play their worst game of the year last night, but the Chairman of the Board for the Rockies saw something much better in his second night in Albuquerque. Unfortunately, it had a similar ending, with the ‘Topes losing 10-5 in twelve innings.

David Hale got his second start with the Isotopes. Hale got roughed up in his first start with Albuquerque, not even making it out of the second inning and allowing 7 earned runs on 8 hits, walking two and striking out two. Today, however, was monumentally better.

Hale only made it through four and a third innings, but only allowed three runs and struck out five while walking two. He had a rough first inning, giving up all three in the first and then settled down and was pretty efficient overall. He threw only 79 pitches and 50 were strikes, but he was on a pitch count. Hale is probably one or two more starts like this  from being a legitimate option for the Rockies. If he continues this kind of pitch efficency, he could be what the Rockies need.

He was relieved by Aaron Laffey, another reclamation project trying to find his way back to the big leagues. He has been up and down this year, most recently getting blown up for 3 runs in Vegas on April 26th. He was much better tonight, giving up one hit in one and two thirds innings.

He was relieved by Tommy Kahnle, who had been cold as of late, giving up four runs in five innings over his last four appearances. He started strong in his first inning of work but in his second, he allowed a run then followed with a wild pitch and an error on the catcher scoring a second and advancing a runner to third. He went on to give up two runs on two hits, walking one and striking out one. He escaped with a no decision.

The Topes had trailed following Kahnle’s 8th, which got Rex Brothers up and throwing but once the Topes tied it in the bottom of the eighth, Manager Glenallen Hill went with Jairo Diaz over Brothers.

Diaz was his normal bumpy road, but was saved by a huge throw to save a run by Tim Wheeler. He pitched the ninth allowing two hits but no runs. Still not the major league closer that the Rockies acquired him to be.

Leuris Gomez has the best performance on the mound tonight as he threw a perfect tenth, striking out two in the process. He followed with another 3 up, 3 down in the eleventh. He did get roughed a bit in the twelfth, walking two on some close ball/strike calls.

Both walks scored off a foul line triple by Josh Rutledge, who they traded for Jairo Diaz. Rutledge scored on an Al Marte single. Marte scored on a Gary Brown home run before the inning finally ended. The Topes never considered Brothers an option for this inning, instead allowed Gomez to give up five runs and take the loss.

On the offensive side of the ball, Dustin Garneau shined with an RBI single and a solo home run, resulting in two of the four Isotope runs. He had a chance to win it with two out and no one on in the tenth but stuck out swinging after battling off nine pitches. Garneau is now the batting average leader for the Isotopes at .349.

Brandon Barnes is heating up, going 2 for 6, pushing his average over .200. Still has a way to go, but he is looking better. He did swing at a pitch in the 9th that was well outside the strike zone that resulted in an important strike out instead of advancing the potential winning run.

Kyle Parker flashed leather in the outfield saving a run, but left the winning run on second in the ninth when he struck out looking. He’s batting .158

Wilin Rosario is still an adventure at first base. One play he can make an amazing catch, the next he can nearly botch a routine play. Add to that his cold bat that has fallen south of .175, and he may have an extended stay in Albuquerque. He was 0-6 tonight with four strikeouts.

Angelys Nina continues to be quietly good, going 3 for 5, but he did leave 3 runners on base today. He singled in the 11th and advanced on a bunt before being doubled off to end the inning. He is hitting .278 and playing fantastic defense at second base.

Tim Wheeler had a chance to be the hero again today, which has come to be a bit of common occurrence for him. A wild pitch plated one and moved the go ahead run to third. The wild pitch was very fortunate has Wheeler’s off day continued, as he struck out, going 0-4 today. He is hitting .271 on the season and playing great defense in the outfield. He gunned out the go ahead run for the third out in the ninth tonight. He advanced Nina to second in the eleventh, when Nina was doubled up.

We saw our first pace of play penalty in the bottom of the 11th. The Bees were not ready when the 2:25 between-innings-clock hit zero. Nina was able to start with an 1-0 count and did get a base hit before being doubled up to end the inning on a great catch by Alfredo Marte.

12,269 were in attendance and the Isotopes will surpass 7 million in lifetime attendance tomorrow.

The Topes lose 10-5 in twelve to extend their losing streak to eight. They get the Bees tomorrow at 7 PM MT.