Redbirds Fall To Albuquerque In Homestand Finale

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Albuquerque Isotopes capitalized on an early lead to win 5-3 over the Memphis Redbirds in the finale of a four-game series on Nickelodeon Day at AutoZone Park.

Memphis (40-45) dropped three of four in the series and finished 3-13 against the Isotopes in the season series, which is the worst record against any opponent in franchise history.

Brock Peterson had another great game in a losing effort, producing his team-leading 28th multi-hit game going 3-for-5 effort. One of his singles was inches away from being a home run. Chris Swauger added a single was robbed of extra bases by Albuquerque right fielder Alex Castellanos.

Memphis went 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position and stranded 10 runners on the afternoon. Albuquerque turned three double plays.

Albuquerque jumped ahead at 3-0 after three innings against left-hander Nick Addition (0-1). With the bases loaded in the first, Additon hit Matt Angle to force home the first run of the game. A Justin Sellers ground-rule double and Damaso Espino sacrifice fly accounted for the next two runs in the third.

Matt Angle produced a sacrifice fly to score former Redbird Brian Barden in the sixth. Barden previously reached on an inning-opening single. Albuquerque tacked on an insurance run against Victor Marte in the ninth with doubles from Alex Castellanos and Chili Buss.

Memphis finally got on the board in the eighth inning with a Jermaine Curtis sacrifice fly to score Garcia, who previously reached on a leadoff single.

The Redbirds loaded the bases and plated two late runs en route to a comeback in the ninth, but Kelvin De La Cruz got Jamie Romak to pop out to shortstop to end the game. Greg Garcia brought home the first run on an infield groundout, followed by Brock Peterson ripping a single to right.

Nick Additon (5-4) came away with the tough loss, giving up three runs on five hits in five innings. He also struck out and walked three. Jorge Rondon surrendered one unearned runs in two innings. Mitchell Boggs fanned one in one scoreless frame.

Albuquerque's Jonathan Sanchez (1-0) scattered three hits over five scoreless. He walked four and struck out five for his first win of the season.

The Redbirds travel to Des Moines tomorrow for the ?rst time in 2013 and face the ?rst place Iowa Cubs (Triple-A Cubs) for a pivotal three-game series. Left-hander Tyler Lyons (3-1, 3.88) will take the ball for Memphis in Monday night's 7:05 pm CT opener. Iowa will counter with righty Barret Loux (4-2, 4.84).

Baseball returns to AutoZone Park on Independence Day for a seven-game homestand against the cross-state rival Nashville Sounds (Triple-A Brewers) and Omaha Storm Chasers (Triple-A Royals).