PCL: McPherson ties homer record in doubleheader losses

The New Mexican |

6/27/2008 - 6/28/08

Going, Going ... gone — all the way into the record books.

Albuquerque Isotopes third baseman Dallas McPherson made himself a part of minor-league baseball history Friday in Game 1 of a doubleheader with Iowa.

McPherson's league-leading 28th homer of the season also extended his streak of consecutive games with a home run to seven — an Isotopes team record — and it ties the Pacific Coast League record set, coincidently, by former Albuquerque Duke Claude Westmorland.

McPherson, who is batting .310 on the season, hammered the first pitch of the fourth inning over the wall in right center field at Principal Park in Des Moines.

The solo blast cut the Cubs' lead to 6-1, but couldn't prevent an 8-6 Iowa win in the opener. The Cubs took Game 2, 7-0.

McPherson was 1-for-2 with two walks in Game 1. Chris Baker was 2-for-3 with four RBIs, including a two-run homer. Albuquerque scored five runs in the final two innings to close the gap, but the Cubs' six-run first inning proved too much to overcome. Albuquerque left nine runners on the base paths.

Starter Bobby Keppel (7-7) was rocked for eight runs in five innings. He walked five and struck out three.

Justin Berg (3-4) got the win for Iowa (47-35). The Cubs remain in first place in the PCL American North Division. Albuquerque (38-42) is in second place in the PCL American South.

Hector Carassco (5-1) got the victory in Game 2, holding the Isotopes to just three hits while striking out 10 in six innings. Chris Michalak (0-3) was the loser.

Lefty J.R. Mathes (5-3, 3.00 ERA) takes the mound for Iowa today at 4:05 p.m. in Game 1 of another doubleheader. The Isotopes starter is to be determined.

Marcos Carvajal (1-1, 6.22) is scheduled to pitch Game 2 for Albuquerque.