Isotopes Tuned Out By Sounds In Series Opener

NEED TO KNOW: A four-run first inning proved to be too much to overcome for the Albuquerque Isotopes (56-71) as the Nashville Sounds (69-58) claimed an 8-3 victory in front of 12,227 fans at Isotopes Park in the series-opener.

BEHIND EARLY: The Sounds scored four runs in the first behind five straight singles. Albuquerque responded with a two-spot in the second off a Brock Peterson leadoff home run and a Walter Ibarra two-out RBI single. Three more singles in the top of the third made it 5-2 in favor of the Sounds before a solo homer in the fifth expanded their lead to 6-2. Joc Pederson singled and stole second in the eighth inning before scoring on a Tim Federowicz single to cut it to 6-3. Nashville tacked on two more runs with a two-out, two-RBI double in the ninth to put the game away.

30-30 VISION: Continuing his quest for a 30-30 season, Joc Pederson stole his 28th base of the year in the eighth inning. The 22-year-old prospect is now just one home run and two stolen bases shy of becoming the first member of the PCL's "30-30 Club" since Frank Demaree did it in 1934. There are 15 games remaining in the regular season.

IGNITED BY IBARRA: Walter Ibarra accounted for three of the Isotopes seven hits on the evening. He finished the game 3-for-4 with an RBI. Since returning to the Isotopes from Double-A Chattanooga on Aug. 10, he is batting .389 (7-for-18) with one run scored, an RBI and two doubles.

SINGLES NIGHT AT THE BALLPARK: And it wasn't a promotion. The Sounds pounded out 17 hits Saturday night, but 15 of the base knocks were singles. In fact, Nashville rattled off eight straight singles before Matt Clark's home run in the fifth inning. Five of their eight runs were scored on singles, while the homer and a ninth inning double accounted for the other three runs.

SUNGLASSES ON SUNDAY: The first 3,000 fans to Isotopes Park Sunday afternoon will receive a pair of Sunglasses courtesy of Albuquerque the Magazine. Gates open at 12:30 p.m.

ON DECK: The Isotopes and Sounds continue their four-game series with game two Sunday afternoon at 1:35 p.m. Right-hander Jeff Bennett (6-6, 3.96 ERA) will take the hill for Albuquerque, while Nashville is scheduled to send righty Jay Jackson (0-1, 7.71 ERA)

IN THE HOLE: After they wrap up the current eight-game homestand, the Isotopes will hit the road for an eight-game swing through Colorado Springs and Oklahoma City before returning home Aug. 28 for the final four-game series of the season against the Las Vegas 51s.