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To start a five-game series over four days, the Albuquerque Isotopes grabbed a 9-4 victory over the Salt Lake Bees on Monday night.
The game was tight until the last two innings, when the 'Topes scored five runs. The big hits for the visitors included a double to left by Pat Valaika in the eighth and, in the ninth, a three-run blast by Chris Nelson to seal the victory in front of 7,619 fans.
Salt Lake was unable to answer back late as Albuquerque reliever Simon Castro retired the side in order in the eighth and got a double play in the ninth.
Turning Point • In a tied 4-4 game, Isotopes' hitter Mike Tauchman started the eighth with a roller that got by Bees' shortstop Brendan Ryan. Tauchman motored to second base on the play and kicked off the two-run winning rally.
Bees MVP • Nate Smith allowed two runs in his six innings of work — one each in the fifth and sixth innings. Over the first three innings, out of the nine outs recorded, Smith got eight of them via strikeouts.
Hidden Hero • Salt Lake outfielder Todd Cunningham had three hits on the night, including a pair of doubles. His two-bagger in the first went to left and he found the left-field corner in the seventh for another extra-base hit.
Flashing Leather • Bees' first baseman Angel Rosa made catches in consecutive innings in foul ground in the middle of the game. In the fourth, Rosa ranged over to the Salt Lake dugout and made a catch against the railing for the first out. With two outs in the fifth, and a runner on, Rosa made another nice grab.
Angel Angle • The well-traveled road between Anaheim and Salt Lake City was made one more time by A.J. Achter on Monday. He was optioned to the Bees from the Angels: His 15th transaction between the two clubs this season.
What's next • Albuquerque (Christian Bergman, 3-3, 3.66) at Salt Lake (TBD), Tuesday, 7:05 p.m. Radio: 1280 AM, 97.5 FM. —
PCL standings
American North W L Pct. GB
Oklahoma City (Dodgers) 75 60 .556 —
Colorado Springs (Brewers) 64 67 .489 9
Iowa (Cubs) 62 74 .456 13½
Omaha (Royals) 57 76 .429 17
American South W L Pct. GB
Nashville (Athletics) 81 56 .591 —
New Orleans (Marlins) 67 67 .500 12½
Round Rock (Rangers) 67 69 .493 13½
Memphis (Cardinals) 63 73 .463 17½
Pacific North W L Pct. GB
Tacoma (Mariners) 76 59 .563 —
Reno (Diamondbacks) 73 63 .537 3½
Fresno (Astros) 69 66 .511 7
Sacramento (Giants) 65 71 .478 11½
Pacific South W L Pct. GB
El Paso (Padres) 71 65 .522 —
Albuquerque (Rockies) 66 69 .489 4½
Las Vegas (Mets) 66 71 .482 5½
Salt Lake (Angels) 59 75 .440 11
Monday's games
Nashville 3, Iowa 2, 11 innings
Memphis 11, Oklahoma City 4
Round Rock at Omaha, canceled
New Orleans at Colorado Springs, canceled
Albuquerque 9, Salt Lake 4
Las Vegas 6, El Paso 3
Fresno at Tacoma, late
Reno at Sacramento, late
Tuesday's games
Iowa at Nashville, 6:05 p.m.
Memphis at Oklahoma City, 6:05 p.m.
Round Rock at Omaha, 6:05 p.m.
New Orleans at Colorado Springs, 6:35 p.m.
Albuquerque at Salt Lake, 7:05 p.m.
Las Vegas at El Paso, 7:05 p.m.
Fresno at Tacoma, 8:05 p.m.
Reno at Sacramento, 8:05 p.m.