Isotopes offense carries team to fourth straight victory

The Albuquerque Isotopes scratched Jeff Hoffman just before first pitch last night, but the sudden switch on the mound didn’t stop the offense from rolling to the team’s fourth straight victory. The Isotopes worked 51’s pitcher Ricky Knapp for six earned runs in five innings and cruised to an 8-4 victory.

Leading the charge was, who else, Raimel Tapia (Number 4 PuRP). Tapia went 2-for-4 with two doubles and two runs scored. Mike Tauchman and Noel Cuevas contributed seven of the eight RBI and the top five in the Isotopes order put in nine of the ten Albuquerque hits.

Hoffman’s scratch just before game time could’ve rattled an up and down pitching staff, but a tag team spot start by Shane Carle and Johendi Jiminian were more than up to the task, the two only allowing two earned runs through six innings of work.

The Isotopes find themselves at the top of the standings in the PCL Pacific Southern Division with a 17-14 record.

The Rockies affiliates went undefeated for the second day in a row, scores and lines from the other games are below.

Triple-A: Albuquerque Isotopes 8, Las Vegas 51s 4

Raimel Tapia (No.4 PuRP): 2-for-4, 2 2B, 2 R

Noel Cuevas: 2-for-4, R, 4 RBI

Mike Tauchman: 2-for-2, 3 RBI, 3 R, HR, 2B

Carlos Estevez: IP, K

Double-A: Hartford Yard Goats 5, New Hampshire Fisher Cats 0

Dom Nunez (No.14 PuRP): 2-for-3, 2B, 2 RBI

Omar Carrizales: 4-for-4

Shane Broyles: 1 ²⁄₃ IP, 4 K

Single-A Advanced: OFF

Single-A: Asheville Tourists 7, Kannapolis Intimidators 5

Vince Fernandez: 3-for-4, 2B, HR, RBI

Bryan Baker: 2 IP, 5 K, 0 R

Tuesday Probables:

Triple-A Albuquerque: Matt Flemer (1-2, 6.32 ERA) vs. Las Vegas

Double-A: Hartford: Parker French (1-2, 4.10 ERA) vs. New Hampshire

Single-A Advanced: Colin Welmon (2-0, 5.91 ERA) vs. Modesto