Isotopes slow down Zephyrs, 5-1

Jonathan Sanchez and three Albuquerque relievers limited the New Orleans Zephyrs to five hits as the Isotopes claimed a 5-1 victory on Sunday night.

Sanchez (7-3) overcame six walks to pitch five shutout innings to earn the win. He also fanned eight batters while allowing three hits. Sean White, Chris Withrow, and Kelvin De La Cruz combined to shut the door for the Isotopes' first win of the series.

Albuquerque put a run on the board in the first inning off Z's starter Rett Varner. With two outs, Nick Buss struck out but a wild pitch allowed him to reach first. He was driven home on the next batter when Eliezer Alfonzo doubled to right past a diving Jake Smolinski to put the Isotopes ahead 1-0.

New Orleans loaded the bases on three consecutive singles in the fifth, but Sanchez got Kyle Jensen to pop out to end the threat.

The Isotopes put up a pair of runs in both the sixth and seventh frames. Damaso Espino and John Baker hit back-to-back RBI singles in the sixth to push the lead to 3-0. Brian Barden then cranked a two-run shot to deep center off Adam Reifer in the seventh for a pair of unearned runs after an error by Chris Valaika.

Kevin Kouzmanoff provided the only run for the Zephyrs with a one-out single in the seventh to score Kevin Mattison from second, the first RBI for Kouzmanoff in his last seven games.

The Zephyrs' 5-8 hitters did not register a hit 12 at-bats. The Z's drew nine walks, two shy of their team-high for the season, but also struck out 10 times.

Espino and Justin Sellers combined for four hits for the Isotopes.

Varner (3-4) took the loss, allowing and run on three hits in four innings. He struck out three and walked three.

The season finale is Monday at 1 p.m.