Redbirds Swept In Albuquerque, Lose 4-3

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The Memphis Redbirds were swept in a four-game series by the Albuquerque Isotopes after losing 4-3 in a series finale on Monday night at Isotopes Park. Memphis has now lost a season-worst five games in a row.

The four-game series sweep was the Redbirds' (35-37) first of the year and first since dropping four in a row from August 1-4, 2012 at Raley Field to Sacramento.

Carlos Martinez (1-1) walked three while laboring through a 34-pitch first inning as Albuquerque opened with a 2-0 lead. Chili Buss singled home Tony Gwynn Jr. for the first run before Martinez walked former Redbird Brian Barden with the bases loaded.

Dee Gordon scored the Isotopes' third run in the second inning after reaching on a one-out walk. Gordon promptly stole second base, moved to third on an Elian Herrera single, and came home on a Gwynn sacrifice fly.

Memphis responded with two runs in the third for a 3-2 deficit. Travis Tartamella began the inning with a bloop single to center and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from Martinez. Two pitches later, Ryan Jackson crushed an RBI triple to center for the first run, followed by a Kolten Wong sacrifice fly.

Barden did further damage in the sixth with a leadoff triple over Taveras' head in center. He scored the insurance run on the next play as John Baker hit a sacrifice fly to right.

Memphis plated its final run in the next frame, but left the bases loaded as Wong struck out. Jamie Romak singled, moved to second on an Adron Chambers single, advanced to third on an infield groundout, and scored on a wild pitch.

Memphis had a chance to knot the game at 4-4 in the ninth, but the tying-run was caught in a rundown after an infield grounder. Romak began the frame with a double, moved to third on sacrifice bunt, and attempted to score on contact from a weak a grounder hit from Tartamella. Unfortunately, the ball was hit right to shortstop.

Martinez was charged with three runs on five hits in 4 2/3 innings for the loss. He struck out four and walked a season-high four with 102 pitches (58 for strikes).

Mitchell Boggs allowed one run in 1 1/3 inning while stranding his only inherited runner. Michael Blazek worked out of an eighth-inning jam and struck out the side in the ninth.

Before serving his suspension, Aaron Laffey gave up three runs in 6 2/3 innings for the quality start and victory. Kelvin De La Cruz converted his third save to end the game.

The Redbirds continue their road trip tomorrow with a four-game series with the Round Rock Express (Triple-A Rangers) at the Dell Diamond. The two teams split their only series this season at the AutoZone Park. Memphis' starter has yet to be announced. Round Rock will start right-hander Evan Meek (0-3, 4.91).