Isotopes Pitching Cannot Overcome Cold Hitting

Chad Bettis has steadly improved every start in Albuquerque. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Chad Bettis has been the best starting pitcher in Albuquerque and on Friday, he continued to be. It wasn’t enough, however, because the offense has gone ice cold. The Sacramento River Cats defeat the Albuquerque Isotopes 3-1. Topes have now lost 13 of 15.

Jon Gray was a late scratch for an unknown reason but Chad Bettis pitched well in his absence. Bettis had a very Jon Grayish start giving up two in the first inning before settling in for a 3 -run, 6-inning appearance.

Bettis did scatter eight hits but didn’t walk anyone.  He also struck out five. He had great command with two-thirds of his pitches finding the strike zone. He only threw 82 pitches.

Bettis has only allowed 3 or less runs in five of his six starts and has been extremely consistant with 6 or 7 inning starts. This is the kind of performance the Rockies are really needing.

Unfortunately for Bettis, the normally hard hitting offense didn’t back him up tonight, not scoring a run until the ninth inning. Ben Paulsen has been a human highlight reel, but tonight he saw his average fall to .271 after an 0-4 day at the plate. Catcher Dustin Garneau provided the only scoring driving in Matt McBride. It was Garneau’s only hit of the day. McBride went 2-4, pushing his average back over .200

Simon Castro did had another solid outing and looks much closer to Colorado ready.  He managed to pitch two scoreless inning. Second innings of relief had had rough results in recent games but Castro breaks that streak, allowing no hits, one walk and two strikeouts to finish the game for the Isotopes Friday. He has five innings of scoreless ball since allowing five runs on four hits against Salt Lake at “The Lab” last Saturday.

Eddie Butler also lost a heart breaker 2-1 against LA in Colorado in a 6 inning rain shortened game, but because I care and I want everyone to leave happy, I leave you with this: