Isotopes Come Up Just Short In 13-12 Shootout Against Sounds

NEED TO KNOW: A combined 11 runs were scored in the first inning and the shootout was on between the Albuquerque Isotopes (57-73) and Nashville Sounds (71-59) Tuesday night at Isotopes Park. The Topes came up just short in a 13-12 loss in the series finale.

FROM THE GET GO: Both teams each sent 10 batters to the plate in the first inning as the Sounds scored five runs and Topes plated six. A solo home run from Tim Federowicz expanded the Isotopes lead to 7-5 in the second before Nashville tied it with two in the fourth. Albuquerque again took a two-run advantage after back-to-back singles to leadoff the fifth from Mike Baxter and Roger Bernadina. After the sounds knotted it at nine in the top of the sixth, the Isotopes would take their last lead of the night in the home half of the sixth at 10-9 when Joc Pederson scored after his leadoff walk. Nashville plated four in the seventh to retake the lead for good at 13-10. After plating a run in the eighth, Albuquerque scored one in the ninth. The Isotopes had runners on the corners with only one out but couldn't cash in.

RAKING ROMAK: Jamie Romak has been one of the steadiest contributors for the Isotopes since his return from Los Angeles on June 29. After his 2-for-4 showing with two RBI and a run scored on Tuesday, he now has 46 RBI in 48 games since being optioned to go along with 16 doubles, one triple and 10 home runs.

IGNITED BY IBARRA: Walter Ibarra finished up his solid showing against the Sounds with a 3-for-6 performance with one run scored Tuesday night. He went 9-for-16 (.563) with a home run, three runs scored and two RBI in the four-game series against Nashville. Since returning to the Isotopes from Double-A Chattanooga on Aug. 10, he is batting .433 (13-for-30) with three runs scored, three RBI, two doubles and a homer.

FEDEX AT YOUR SERVICE: Tim Federowicz followed up his two double performance from Monday night with a solo homer on Tuesday. Since the All-Star break, the backstop is batting .333 (38-for-114) with 12 doubles, seven home runs, 17 RBI, eight walks and 21 runs scored.

ON DECK: The Isotopes will hit the road for their final road trip of the season, an eight-game swing beginning with four at the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. Right-hander Matt Magill (7-5, 4.89 ERA) is slated to start the first game for Albuquerque, while Colorado will go with lefty Brian Burress (1-6, 7.01 ERA).

IN THE HOLE: After their final road trip of the season, Albuquerque will return home to conclude the 2014 season with a four-game, five-day series against the Las Vegas 51s.