Isotopes Ruffle Redbirds in Win

Albuquerque (36-32) scored seven times in the first five innings, plating a run in every frame but the second during that stretch en route to a 7-2 series opening win over the Memphis Redbirds (35-34). Center fielder Tony Gwynn Jr. and shortstop Dee Gordon combined for seven hits, four for Gwynn Jr., and each tripled.

Chris Capuano and Matt Magill combined to allow just two hits in the game. Gwynn and Gordon also swiped bases in the Isotopes one-run fourth inning. Gwynn Jr. (7) has stolen four bases in as many games and Gordon ranks third in the Pacific Coast League with 19 steals. Gwynn Jr. also accounted for the inning's run driving Gordon in on a single.

Chris Capuano made his second rehab start, on separate assignments, with Albuquerque this season. The Dodgers southpaw tossed four scoreless innings of one-hit ball, striking out and walking two. He was placed on the disabled list by the Dodgers with a left latissimus strain retroactive to May 30.

Right-handed pitcher Matt Magill (2-0, 2.40) earned the win, entering in the fifth and cruising through the final five frames. His lone blemish came on Brock Peterson two-run homer in the sixth. The righty surrendered one hit and four walks while fanning four.

Three first inning walks led to a Justin Sellers (2-for-3, RBI, R) two-out RBI single into center field. The Isotopes took an early 2-0 advantage on third baseman Sellers' base knock scoring Elian Herrera and Rusty Ryal.

After Gwynn Jr. led off the third inning with an infield single first baseman Rusty Ryal doubled to left field scoring Gwynn Jr. Before the inning ended, the Isotopes would tack on a run on a Chili Buss (2-for-4, HR, 3RBI) single scoring Ryal extending the lead to 4-0. Buss followed that by blasting a two-run shot in the sixth, his ninth of the year, extending Albuquerque's advantage.

Scott McGregor (1-4, 7.82) suffered the loss for Memphis. The righty allowed five runs on eight hits. The Isotopes and Redbirds take the field in game two of their four-game series tomorrow, Saturday, June 15 at 7:05 PM. Southpaw Rob Rasmussen (0-1, 7.94) is slated to take the ball for Albuquerque against the Redbirds' righty Maikel Cleto (2-3, 5.72). Listen to all the action on 610 AM "The Sports Animal" with Josh Suchon on the call.