Grizzlies Iso-"topped" 7-2 on Tuesday

Albuquerque, NM (Tuesday, July 16) - The Fresno Grizzlies (48-48) have dropped the first two games of this road series against the Albuquerque Isotopes (42-54), following a 7-2 setback on Tuesday night, after an hour and 12-minute rain delay preceded the first pitch.  Fresno, currenlty 2-4 on this 11-game road trip, will now aim for a series split with two days remaining in the Duke City. 
Yonder Alonso put Albuquerque in front 1-0 in the first inning, with an RBI double. Fresno took their first and only lead of the night in the fourth, loading the bases for an RBI fielder's choice from José Marmolejos, and an RBI single from Jake Noll. Wilmer Difo and Carter Kieboom each scored following leadoff base hits.
Leading again 3-2 in the eighth, the Isotopes put the game out of reach with three consecutive base hits to begin the inning: Elliot Soto (single) scored on Sam Hilliard's gap double. Reigning PCL MVP Josh Fuentes puncuated the four-run frame by homering to left field. The three-run shot made the score 7-2. 
The defeat dealt a tough-luck decision to Grizzlies' starter Joe Ross, amidst dueling quality starts. Ross worked a season-high seven innings, allowing only two earned runs on six hits. Albuquerque starter Tim Melville lasted 6.2 IP, scattering eight hits and allowing two earned runs with seven strikeouts. 
Top Performers: Fresno Grizzlies (Washington Nationals)
• 1B Jake Noll (2-4, RBI)
• RF Jose Marmolejos (2-4, RBI)
• RHP Joe Ross (7.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K)
Top Performers: Albuquerque Isotopes (Colorado Rockies)
• 1B Yonder Alonso (3-4, 2B, RBI, R)
• RF Sam Hilliard (2-4, 2B, RBI, R)
• RHP Tim Melville (6.2 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K)
• 3B Josh Fuentes (HR, 3 RBI)
ON THAT FRES-NOTE: Unfortunately for the Grizzlies, they could not keep a streak of seven games alternating losses and wins alive on Tuesday. Fresno dropped consecutive games for the first time since before the all-star break, on July 5-6 at home against Tacoma.