Tyler Matzek Taking Mental Break as Topes & Rail Cats Have a Slugfest

In a day with all sorts of surprises, the Isotopes and River Cats slugged out a 12 to 5 game where the Isotopes starting pitcher was changed just hours before the game, the replacement was injured in eight pitches and the wind was gusting over 55 MPH at times.

Tyler Matzek was pulled from the start just hours before the game. The Isotopes Media was told “He will work on his game outside of game competition.” by Isotopes Media Director Lee Van Horn which was followed up by comments from Walt Weiss.

“We’re taking him out of competition for a bit,” Rockies manager Walt Weiss told The Denver Post’s Patrick Saunders.

Meanwhile back on the field, Carlos Hernandez was called up for New Britain to replace Matzek. This was Hernandez second stint with the Isotopes this season. He had been 1-0 with only a 4.09 ERA. He would take his first loss today after giving up an infield hit and a bunt single, Hernandez left with a lower body injury. He had thrown 8 pitches, 5 for strikes. He was responsible for the runner on second.

Ryan Arrowood would come in he’d allow a slap single to Travis Ishikawa, scoring Brett Jackson from second, putting Hernandez on the hook for the loss. He would walk Juan Perez and give up a ground rule double to Trevor Brown which would scored Travis Ishikawa. He’d get Darren Ford to fly out to finish the first.

The second inning was solid for Arrowood as he would allow a lead off double before getting the next three out. Then came the third. Adam Duvall leads off with a triple and is driven home by Travis Ishikawa. Juan Perez and Carlos Triunfel would each hit a solo home run before Arrohead gets out of the inning.

In the fourth, Arrowood would allow a lead off walk to Brett Jackson, who would come around to score but the real action was in the bottom of the inning when the Topes finally came to life.

In the bottom of the inning, Ben Paulsen would lead off with a ground out before Matt McBride would single. Ryan Casteel would then hammer a home run to left field, plating two. Kyle Parker and Angelys Nina would both single, as would Tim Smalling, driving in Kyle Parker. Arrowood would help his cause moving the runners to 2nd and 3rd with a sacrifice bunt. Brandon Barnes would continue the singles brigade scoring two. Cristhian Adams would single, moving Barnes to third before Ben Paulsen would again ground out to end the inning. Paulsen is in a major slump after starting the year hitting over .350. He is now batting .256.

The Isotopes would cut it to 7-5 and Arrowood would get them through the fifth, which is all you could ask of a reliever on no notice. Arrowood would turn in 5 innings of work allowing 6 runs on eight hits, walking two while striking out six.

The Isotopes wouldn’t get any closer as PCL Pitcher of the Week, Simon Castro, would come in and allow two runs on three hits in two innings. Oddly, every out he produced was via strikeout.

Brooks Brown would have a rough rehab appearance allowing three runs on three hits in just two-thirds of an inning. He would strike out one.

Rex Brothers would pitch the last one-and-a-third, looking good allowing no runs on two hits and a walk. He would strike out three.

In a day where the Topes would allow 12 runs, they also struck out 16 and only walked five.

The Topes would get battered when the River Cats made contact and the offense has been anemic as of late. The 4th inning outburst was nice to see but needs to be more consistent from the isotopes. The ridiculous wind, rain and various weather didn’t help the situation but the Isotopes have to figure out a way to start producing wins. The Isotopes look for a split as they close out the series and homestand at 11 AM on the May 19th against the River Cats.

Troy Olsen can be heard, talking Topes, every Friday around 5:35 p.m, on 610 KNML. Listen on tunein, IHeartRadio, or the 610 Website along with many other places. Listen in and let me know what you think!