Topes Late Rally Stifled In 9-3 Loss To Iowa

NEED TO KNOW: The Albuquerque Isotopes (21-32) managed to pull within four runs after a two-run eighth inning, but the Iowa Cubs (27-24) turned a double play to kill the rally and take an eventual 9-3 victory. The Isotopes turned a season-high five double plays in the game and are now tied for the Pacific Coast League lead in that category.

THE TURNING POINT: Iowa put up single runs in the first and third before Matt McBride smashed a solo home run in the fourth to put Albuquerque on the board. The Cubs wasted no time responding with a two-run blast in the fifth to take control of the game. Prospect Javy Baez added a pair of two run homers in the seventh and ninth innings to secure the victory for the Iowa. The Isotopes tried to mount a late rally in the bottom of the eighth after a two-RBI double by Dustin Garneau, but the Cubs turned a double play to kill the momentum.

DOUBLE THE FUN: Entering Tuesday's game, the Isotopes had turned 11 double plays in their last five games, six of which were of the 6-4-3 variety. Albuquerque then turned four double plays in each of the first four innings on Tuesday and another in the seventh. Three of those were 6-4-3 twin killings. The Topes have now turned 62 double plays on the year, which ties New Orleans for the PCL lead.

MORE FROM MCBRIDE: The most consistent hitter the last month for the Isotopes has been Matt McBride. He went 3-for-4 with two runs scored, a double, a home run and an RBI Tuesday night. He has hits in 21 of his last 25 games, 16 of which are multi-hit performances. During that span, McBride is hitting .420 (42-for-100) 20 runs scored, 10 doubles, five homers, 16 RBI and three walks. He has also raised his average from .178 to .345.

OH SO CLOSE: Matt McBride lacked just a triple to hit for the cycle Tuesday evening, becoming the third Isotopes player in the last five days to come just one hit shy of the cycle. Ryan Casteel came a triple short on Friday, while Kyle Parker missed a single on Saturday. Albuquerque has not had a player hit for the cycle since Robert Andino accomplished the feat on August 21, 2008 against New Orleans.

SNOW GLOBES ON FRIDAY: The first 3,000 fans to Friday's 7:05 p.m. game against the Iowa Cubs will receive a free Orbit snow globe courtesy of AARP.

ON DECK: The Isotopes and Cubs will play game two of their four-game series Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. Left-handed pitcher Yohan Flande (1-0, 4.76) is scheduled to start for Albuquerque, while Iowa will send lefty Erick Jokisch (2-2, 3.67) to the hill.

IN THE HOLE: After this four-game set against the Iowa Cubs, the Isotopes will hit the road four an eight-game, nine-day swing with stops in Salt Lake to face the Bees and Tacoma to face the Rainiers beginning June 6.