ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Albuquerque Isotopes (57-55) survived a pitcher's duel against the Round Rock Express (51-61) by claiming a 1-0 decision after 10 innings of play on Friday night at Dell Diamond. Isotopes C Tony Wolters scored the game's only run with a two-out RBI triple in the
ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Albuquerque Isotopes (57-55) survived a pitcher's duel against the Round Rock Express (51-61) by claiming a 1-0 decision after 10 innings of play on Friday night at Dell Diamond. Isotopes C Tony Wolters scored the game's only run with a two-out RBI triple in the 10th.
E-Train RHP Preston Claiborne (3-1, 2.00) suffered the loss after giving up the game-winning run on a hit and a walk while recording a pair of outs. Albuquerque RHP Matt Flemer (6-6, 6.07) picked up the win after three shutout innings of relief.
Express starter RHP Anthony Bass and Isotopes starter LHP Sam Howard went toe-to-toe for six innings. Bass held Albuquerque scoreless on just two hits while walking one and fanning eight. Howard matched Bass' effort, allowing just two hits while walking one and striking out four.
Bass worked around an early scoring threat in the first inning as 3B Derrik Gibson doubled with one out before 1B Ryan McMahon and CF Noel Cuevas each flew out. Round Rock 2B Doug Bernier led off with a double in the fourth however, Howard recovered to retire the next three hitters in order to neutralize the threat.
Neither team pushed a runner into scoring position until the seventh. E-Train DH Will Middlebrooks greeted Flemer to the game with a leadoff double. Two hitters later, SS Tyler Smith singled to right field. Middlebrooks rounded third and was ultimately thrown out at home by RF Jordan Patterson .
In the 10th, Isotopes DH Tom Murphy worked a one-out walk off Claiborne. Two hitters later, Wolters lined a two-out triple to deep right-center field, scoring Murphy to give Albuquerque the narrow 1-0 victory. Albuquerque RHP Austin House retired the E-Train in order in the bottom of the frame to preserve the win.
The Express and Isotopes face off again on Saturday night. Albuquerque LHP Ryan Carpenter (7-7, 4.26) is set to start against a Round Rock pitcher yet to be announced. First pitch at Dell Diamond is slated for 7:05 p.m.
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