Latest News and Summaries

September 12, 2003
- PCL Championship - Game 3
 - Sounds/River Cats

Sacramento wins series 3-0

Raley Field, Sacramento
=================

Nashville        010 000 000 -- 1   5   1
Sacramento  100 203 11x -- 8  13  0

WP: Ed Yarnall (1-0)
LP: Matt Guerrier (1-1)

HR: SAC Michael Lockwood (1) off Matt Guerrier in the 4th inning

TIME: 2:50
ATT: 14,015

The Sacramento River Cats (Athletics) crushed the Nashville 
Sounds (Pirates) 8-1 on Friday evening to become the 2003
Pacific Coast League champions.  The River Cats swept the
Sounds 3-0 in the PCL Championship series following a 3-0 
sweep of the Edmonton Trappers (Expos) in the Pacific 
Conference Championship series.

In the 1st inning, Esteban German walked and scored on Jason
Grabowski's single to right field as the River Cats built a quick
1-0 lead.

The Sounds tied the game in the 2nd inning.  Jorge Toca singled
to right field and scored on Tomas De La Rosa's double down the
left field line.

The rest of the game was all River Cats.  In the 4th inning with
two outs, Luis Lopez reached on a throwing error.  Michael
Lockwood followed with a home run as the 'Cats built a 3-1 lead.

The River Cats broke the game wide open in the 6th inning. 
Graham Koonce walked and Grabowski singled to right field.  Lopez
doubled to left field as Koonce scored and Grabowski scored on
Mark Johnson's single to left field.  Lopez scored on Jose Flores'
sacrifice fly out as Sacramento led 6-1.

In the 7th inning with two outs, Grabowski walked and scored on
Lockwood's single to right field.

The River Cats closed out the scoring in the 8th inning.  Chris
Prieto singled to drive in Flores.

Sacramento's Luis Lopez was named the MVP of the 2003 PCL
Championship series.  Lopez belted two home runs and drove in
eight runs in the PCL Championship series.

September 10, 2003
- PCL Championship - Game 2
 - River Cats/Sounds

River Cats lead series 2-0

Herschel Greer Stadium, Nashville
========================

Sacramento  201 000 040 -- 7  7  0
Nashville       000 110 000 -- 2 11  0

WP: Erik Hiljus (2-0)
LP: Pat Mahomes (0-2)

HR: SAC Graham Koonce (1) off Pat Mahomes in the 1st inning
               Luis Lopez (3) off Ben Shaffar in the 8th inning

       NSH Adam Hyzdu (4) off Erik Hiljus in the 4th inning

TIME: 2:51
ATT: 8,524

Graham Koonce and Luis Lopez powered the Sacramento River
Cats (Athletics) over the Nashville Sounds (Pirates) 7-2 to take
a commanding 2-0 series lead.  The series moves to Sacramento
where the River Cats only need to win one of the next three
games to claim the 2003 PCL Championship.

In the 1st inning, Graham Koonce two-run homered as the River
Cats led 2-0.

The River Cats built the lead to 3-0 in the 3rd inning as Jose
Flores scored on a wild pitch.

In the 4th inning, Adam Hyzdu solo-homered as the Sounds cut
the defecit to two runs at 3-1.

In the 5th inning, Nashville's John Barnes doubled to drive in 
Rich Thompson to make it a 3-2 River Cats lead.

In the 8th inning, the River Cats put the game away as Luis
Lopez homered with the bases loaded, driving in Chris Prieto,
Koonce and Jason Grabowski.

Nuñez Outrighted to Albuquerque

Pitcher Vladimir Nuñez has been outrighted to Albuquerque.

Earlier in the week the Marlins designated him for assignment and
was able to outright him to Albuquerque today.

September 9, 2003
- PCL Championship - Game 1
- River Cats/Sounds

River Cats lead series 1-0

Herschel Greer Stadium, Nashville
=======================

Sacramento  030 001 000 -- 4  8  0
Nashville       100 001 000 -- 2  6  0

WP: John Rheinecker (1-0)
LP: Ryan Vogelsong (0-1)
SV: Jeremy Fikac (1)

HR: SAC Luis Lopez (2) off Ryan Vogelsong in the 2nd inning

        NSH Tony Alvarez (2) off John Rheinecker in the 1st inning

TIME: 2:43
ATT: 6,752

Luis Lopez's home run led the Sacramento River Cats (Athletics)
over the Nashville Sounds (Pirates) 4-2 as the River Cats took 
a 1-0 series lead in the 2003 Pacific Coast League Championship
Series.

In the Sounds half of the 1st inning, Tony Alvarez led off with 
a solo homer.

In the 2nd inning with Jason Grabowski and Graham Koonce on 
base, Lopez homered as the River Cats took a 3-1 lead.

In the 6th inning, Koonce doubled to drive in Mike Edwards
as the River Cats extended their lead to 4-1.

In the 6th inning, Nashville's John Barnes singled to plate Dave
Doster to close out the scoring in the game.

Olsen to Marlins

The Florida Marlins activated pitcher Kevin Olsen from the
60-day major league disabled list and recalled him from
Albuquerque where he had been on his rehabilitation 
assignment.

To make room on the Marlins 40-man roster for Olsen, pitcher
Vladimir Nuñez was designated for assignment.

September 6, 2003 - 
Sounds/Isotopes

American Conference Championship - Game 4
Sounds win series 3-1

Isotopes Park, Albuquerque
===================

Nashville         010 000 200 -- 3  9  0
Albuquerque  001 000 000 -- 1  3  1

WP: Matt Guerrier (1-0)
LP: Aaron Small (0-1)

HR: NSH Adam Hyzdu (3) off Aaron Small in the 2nd inning
           John Barnes (2) off Aaron Small in the 7th inning

TIME: 2:34
ATT: 8,051

Matt Guerrier pitched a complete game 3-hitter as the Nashville
Sounds (Pirates) defeated the Isotopes 3-1 to win the 2003 
American Conference Championship best-of-five series 3 games
to 1 game.  Nashville advances to the PCL Championship against
the Sacramento River Cats (Athletics) beginning on Tuesday
evening.

Adam Hyzdu solo-homered in the 2nd inning as the Sounds led
1-0.

In the 3rd inning, the Isotopes tied the game at 1-1 when Matt
Erickson doubled to drive in Abraham Nuñez.

The Sounds took the lead for good in the 7th inning when John
Barnes homered with Dave Doster on base.

Aaron Small went 7 innings, giving up 7 hits and 3 runs.  He walked
1 and struck out 4.

'Topes Notes:  Kevin Olsen made an appearance with the Isotopes
and gave up no runs and 2 hits in 2 innings. . . .  17,431 fans
attended the two playoff games at Isotopes Park.  For the regular
season and playoffs, 594,298 fans went through the turnstiles at
Isotopes Park for an average of 8,141 fans per game.  For a
comparison of how great the attendance was, the largest season
attendance for the Albuquerque Dukes at the Sports Stadium was
390,652.  33,581 fans attended the four games of the American
Conference Championship for a per-game average of 8,395. . . . 
The Isotopes season may be over, but keep reading this page as 
there will be coverage of the 2003 PCL Championship as well as 
any Isotopes offseason news and roster moves, a redesign of the
web page, and the posting of the 2004 season schedule when
released.

September 5, 2003 - 
Sounds/Isotopes

American Conference Championship Game 3
Sounds lead series 2-1

Isotopes Park, Albuquerque
===================

Nashville        200 140 000 032 -- 12  16  2
Albuquerque  600 100 000 030 -- 10  18  1

WP: Jim Mann (1-0)
LP: Allen Levrault (0-1)
SV: Frank Brooks (1)

HR: NSH Aaron Holbert (2) off Jason Grilli in the 4th inning
                Adam Hyzdu (2) off Jason Grilli in the 5th inning
                Jorge Toca (1) off Marty McLeary in the 5th inning
                Dave Doster (1) off Blaine Neal in the 11th inning

      ABQ Robert Stratton (1) off Dave Williams in the 1st inning
              Paul Hoover (1) off Dave Williams in the 1st inning
              Jason Wood (1) off Jim Mann in the 11th inning

TIME: 4:15
ATT: 9,380

The Isotopes came up with a miracle 11th inning rally but it was
for naught as the Nashville Sounds (Pirates) came up with two
runs in the 12th inning to take a 12-10 victory over the Isotopes
in a wild Friday night contest at "The Lab".  The Sounds hold a
2-1 series lead in the best-of-five American Conference
Championships and the Isotopes will have to win the next two
games to advance to the PCL Championship Series next week.

In the 1st inning, Adam Hyzdu singled to score Tony Alvarez
and Hyzdu scored when Aaron Holbert drew a bases loaded
walk as the Sounds led 2-0.

In the bottom of the 1st inning, Jason Wood singled to drive in
Kevin Hooper.  Derek Wathan scored on Chad Allen's single
and Wood and Allen scored on Robert Stratton's inside-the-park
home run.  Paul Hoover followed with a solo homer as the 
Isotopes led 6-2.

Aaron Holbert solo-homered in the 4th inning as the Sounds 
cut the defecit to three runs at 6-3.

In the Isotopes half of the 4th inning, Matt Erickson singled
to plate Hoover.

In the 5th inning, Hyzdu homered with Dave Doster and J.J.
Davis on base and Jorge Toca solo-homered as the Sounds
tied the game at 7-7.

In the 11th inning, Chris Snusz sacrifice flied out to score
Tomas de la Rosa and Alvarez walked ahead of Doster's
home run as the Sounds led 10-7.

In the Isotopes half of the 11th inning, the Isotopes worked
some two-out mojo to keep them alive in the game.   Wathan
tripled to score Hooper and Jason Wood homered as the 'Topes
tied the game at 10-10.

In the 12th inning, the Sounds had some two-out mojo of their
own to take the lead for good.  De la Rosa walked and Snusz
doubled to plate de la Rosa and Doster singled to drive in 
Snusz.

Isotopes starter Jason Grilli went 4 innings, giving up 7 hits and
6 runs.  He walked 4 and struck out 3 in addition to allowing
2 homers.

'Topes Notes:  Kevin Olsen made a rehabilitation assignment 
start for the Class-A Jupiter Hammerheads on September 2nd.
He started and went 5 innings, giving up a hit and a run 
(unearned).  He walked none and struck out 8 in the game.  
Olsen is expected to make one more outing, this time with the
Isotopes, before he pitches again with the Marlins. . . .  
Pitching probables for Game 4 of the series are Aaron Small 
for the Isotopes and Matt Guerrier for the Sounds.

September 5, 2003 - 
Trappers/River Cats

Pacific Conference Championship - Game 3
Sacramento wins series 3-0

Raley Field, Sacramento
=================

Edmonton      000 000 010 -- 1  5  2
Sacramento  410 000 00x -- 5  6  0

WP: Erik Hiljus (1-0)
LP: Sun-Woo Kim (0-1)

HR: SAC Esteban German (1) off Sun-Woo Kim in the 2nd inning

TIME: 2:19
ATT: 12,801

The Sacramento River Cats (Athletics) defeated the Edmonton
Trappers (Expos) 5-1 to wrap up a 3 games to 0 games sweep of 
the Pacific Conference Championship best-of-five series.  
Sacramento will meet the winner of the American Conference
Championship between the Isotopes and Nashville Sounds in
the best-of-five PCL Championship Series beginning on Tuesday.

In the 1st inning, Luis Lopez doubled with the bases loaded and
scored on errors by Trappers left-fielder Terrmel Sledge and
pitcher Sun-Woo Kim as the River Cats led 4-0.

Esteban German solo-homered as the River Cats extended the
lead to 5-0 in the 2nd inning.

In the 8th inning, the Trappers avoided being shut out as Jake
Thrower singled and scored on Luis Figueroa's single.

September 4, 2003 - 
Isotopes/Sounds

American Conference Championship - Game 2
series tied 1-1

Herschel Greer Stadium, Nashville
======================

Albuquerque  401 011 000 -- 7  12  0
Nashville         000 120 020 -- 5  10  2

WP: Sean Bergman (1-0)
LP: Pat Mahomes (0-1)
SV: Blaine Neal (1)

HR: NSH Tony Alvarez (1) off Sean Bergman in the 4th inning
               Adam Hyzdu (1) off Sean Bergman in the 8th inning

TIME: 2:36
ATT: 10,004

Albuquerque scored big early and held off a Nashville Sounds
(Pirates) late game rally as the Isotopes won 7-5 to tie the 
best-of-five American Conference Championship at 1-1. 

In the 1st inning, the Isotopes put up a four spot.  Matt
Erickson led off with a double and scored on Derek Wathan's
single.  Jason Wood singled and Chris Donnels doubled to
plate Wathan and Wood.  Chad Allen doubled to right-center
field to score Donnels.

In the 3rd inning, Wood reached on a two-base error and
scored on a throwing error on Sounds shortstop Aaron Holbert
as the Isotopes extended the lead to 5-0.

Tony Alvarez solo-homered in the 4th inning as the Sounds got
on the scoreboard.

In the 5th inning, Wood walked, stole second base and scored
on Allen's single to right field as the Isotopes led 6-1.

In the bottom of the 5th inning, Bobby Hill doubled and Holbert 
infield singled.  Blake Barthol doubled to right-center field as 
Hill and Holbert raced around to score.

In the 6th inning, Kevin Hooper singled, stole second base 
and scored on Wathan's double to give the Isotopes a 7-3
lead.

The Sounds closed out the scoring in the 8th inning when J.J.
Davis was hit by a pitch and Adam Hyzdu followed with a home
run.

'Topes Notes:  Chad Allen has the hot bat for the Isotopes.  
In the first two games of the series, he went 5x9 (.556) with
a run scored and six runs batted in.  Allen has homered
and doubled in the series so far. . . .  16,150 fans attended 
the first two games of the series in Nashville, for a per-game
average of 8,075. . . .  The series heads to Albuquerque for 
Games 3 and 4 and Game 5 (if necessary).  Probable starters
for Game 3 of the series are Jason Grilli for the Isotopes and 
Dave Wiliams for the Sounds.

September 4, 2003 - 
River Cats/Trappers

Pacific Conference Championship Game 2
River Cats lead series 2-0

Telus Field, Edmonton
================

Sacramento  000 012 430 -- 10  18  1
Edmonton     200 000 102 --  5     9   0

WP: John Rheinecker (1-0)
LP: Britt Reames (0-1)

HR: SAC Luis Lopez (1) off Roy Corcoran in the 7th inning

       EDM Randy Knorr (1) off Jeremy Fikac in the 9th inning

TIME: 2:57
ATT: 4,052

For the second straight night, the Sacramento River Cats 
(Athletics) defeated the Edmonton Trappers (Expos) 10-5 to
take a commanding 2-0 best-of-five series lead.  Sacramento
heads home only needing one victory in three tries in order
to wrap up the Pacific Conference Championship and advance
to the PCL Championship Series.

Edmonton scored twice in the first inning to finally have a lead
during a game in the series.  Terrmel Sledge and Valentino 
Pascucci scored on Ryan Balfe's double.

Jose Flores scored on Esteban German's groundout in the 5th
inning and Mike Edwards scored on a wild pitch and Mike 
Lockwood singled to plate Luis Lopez in the 6th inning as the
River Cats took a 3-2 lead.

The River Cats extended their lead in the 7th inning.  Jason
Grabowski doubled to score Edwards and Lopez homered
with Grabowski and Graham Koonce on base as the River Cats
led 7-2.

Randy Knorr scored on Peter Bergeron's double as the Trappers
cut the defecit to four runs at 7-3 in their half of the 7th inning,
but the River Cats came up with three more runs in the 8th inning
as Chris Prieto singled to score Flores and Grabowski singled to
drive in Prieto and German.

Knorr homered with Jeff Bailey on base as the Trappers closed 
out the scoring in the game in the bottom of the 9th inning.

September 3, 2003 - 
Isotopes/Sounds

American Conference Championship - Game 1
Sounds lead best-of-five series 1-0

Herschel Greer Stadium, Nashville
========================

Albuquerque  010 000 400 -- 5  10  0
Nashville        000 300 12x -- 6  10  0

WP: Frank Brooks (1-0)
LP: Vladimir Nuñez (0-1)
SV: Jim Mann (1)

HR: NSH Aaron Holbert (1) off Scott Sanders in the 4th inning
               John Barnes (1) off Abraham Nuñez in the 8th inning

       ABQ Chad Allen (1) off Ryan Vogelsong in the 7th inning

TIME: 2:41
ATT: 6,146

In the first game of the 2003 American Conference Championship,
the Nashville Sounds (Pirates) ralled in the 8th inning to defeat
the Isotopes 6-5.

In the 2nd inning, Jason Wood doubled and scored on Chad
Allen's RBI single as the Isotopes led 2-0.

In the 4th inning, the Sounds took a 3-1 lead.  With two outs,
John Barnes and Bobby Hill singled and Aaron Holbert followed
with a three-run homer.

The Isotopes regained the lead in the 7th inning.  Derek Wathan
and Wood singled and Chris Donnels singled to plate Wathan.
Chad Allen three-run homered as the 'Topes led 5-3.

The Sounds tied the game in the 7th inning -- Tony Alvarez
doubled and scored on Dave Doster's single.

In the 8th inning, Adam Hyzdu singled and John Barnes homered
off Isotopes reliever Vladimir Nuñez.

Isotopes starter Scott Sanders pitched seven innings, giving up
seven hits and four runs.  He walked one and struck out four.

'Topes Notes:  Final 2003 Regular Season Isotopes statistics and 
final 2003 Pacific Coast League standings have been added to 
this web page. . . .  The Pacific Coast League named Terrmel
Sledge of the Edmonton Trappers (Expos) the Hitter of the Week.
In the last week of the season, Sledge hit .474 with seven runs
scored and nine runs batted in. . . .  The PCL Pitcher of the Week
is Nashville's Ryan Vogelsong.  Vogelsong shut out the New
Orleans Zephyrs (Astros) while allowing five hits and struck out
12 in the game that clinched the Eastern Division title for the
Sounds. . . .  Pitching probables for Game 2 of the American 
Conference Championship are Sean Bergman for the Isotopes
and Pat Mahomes for the Sounds.

September 3, 2003 - 
River Cats/Trappers

Pacific Conference Championships - Game 1
River Cats lead series 1-0

Telus Field, Edmonton
================

Sacramento  210 153 301 -- 16  20  0
Edmonton      000 000 002 --  2   6   2

WP: Justin Duchscherer (1-0)
LP: Seung Song (0-1)

HR: EDM Jason Grabowski (1) off Anthony Ferrari in the 7th inning

TIME: 3:07
ATT: 5,114

In Game 1 of the Pacific Conference Championships, the 
Sacramento River Cats (Athletics) pounded out 20 hits as they 
crushed the Edmonton Trappers (Expos) 16-2.

In the 1st inning, Graham Koonce's sacrifice fly scored Chris 
Prieto and Mike Edwards scored on an error as the River
Cats led 2-0.

Dan Johnson scored on a fielder's choice in the 2nd inning and
Jose Flores singled to plate Mike Lockwood in the 4th inning as
the River Cats built up the lead to 4-0.

In the 5th inning, Edwards scored on Jason Grabowski's single
and Flores singled to score Grabowski and Luis Lopez.  An
error allowed Lockwood and Flores to score as the River Cats
led 9-0.

In the 6th inning, Grabowski doubled to drive in Edwards and
Johnson singled to plate Grabowski.  Flores singled to drive
in Lopez as the River Cats led 12-0.

In the 7th inning, Grabowski homered with Edwards and Koonce
on base to extend the lead to 15-0.

In the 9th inning, Esteban German singled to score Lockwood to
close out the River Cats scoring.

The Trappers avoided the shoutout in the bottom of the 9th
inning.  Terrmel Sledge singled to score Peter Bergeron and 
Valentino Pascucci sacrifice flied out to score Luis Figueroa.

Valdez on DL; Olsen to 'Topes;
Levrault and House Activated

Infielder Wilson Valdez was placed on the disabled list with a
broken left thumb.

The Florida Marlins optioned pitcher Kevin Olsen to Albuquerque.
Olsen appeared in four games for the Marlins, going 0-0 with a
11.17 ERA.  He gave up 19 hits, 12 earned runs, 3 walks and
7 strikeouts in 9 2/3 IP.  Unfortunately, he was hit in the head
with a comeback line drive at Fenway Park in Boston and has
been slowly working to getting back on the mound.

Pitcher Allen Levrault was activated from the disabled list.

Pitcher Craig House was activated from the disabled list and
transferred to Class-AA Carolina.

2003 Isotopes Individual Awards

Before Monday's final game of the season, 2003 Isotopes
individual season award winners were announced.  The
awards were voted on by Isotope players and coaches.

Jason Wood won the 2003 Most Valuable Player award.

Sean Bergman won the 2003 Pitcher of the Year award.

Kevin Hooper won the 2003 Community-Minded Player of the
Year award as voted on by Isotopes management.

Wilson Valdez won the 2003 Defense Player of the Year award.

Derek Wathan won the 2003 "Mr. Hustle" award.

Robert Stratton won the 2003 Power Hitter award.