MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com-The Isotopes took a 2-0 lead in the third inning when Tony Abreu homered for the 11th time this season, a two-run shot to right field.  Another pair of runs in the fourth inning gave Albuquerque a 4-0 lead.

 Abreu, who was 3-5 and drove in two runs, doubled to lead off Albuquerque’s fifth inning.  Abreu advanced to third on Blake DeWitt’s ground out and later scored for the 5-0 Isotopes’ lead.

 Iowa had an opportunity to trim the Isotopes lead in the sixth inning.   Nate Spears walked and John-Ford Griffin doubled.  Matt Craig then walked to load the bases. However, with one out, Iowa’s Brad Snyder and Steve Clevenger struck out to end the threat.

 It was not until the bottom of the ninth inning when Iowa plated its first run of the game.  Craig singled to right field before Brad Snyder doubled in Craig for the 5-1 final.

 Mitch Atkins (8-12) was tagged with the loss for the Cubs, allowing five runs, four earned, on eight hits in five innings of work.  Albuquerque’s Giancarlo Alvarado (13-10) threw six scoreless innings to earn the win.

 The Cubs and Isotopes play the second game of the series Saturday starting at 7:05 p.m.

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