Juarez City.- The El Paso Chihuahuas trailed by five runs with two out in the bottom of the ninth when they put together a run of four and put the tying one on base, but ultimately lost 13-12 to the Albuquerque Isotopes tonight Tuesday at Southwest University Park, in the first game of a six-game series.
Dominican Major Leaguer Fernando Tatis Jr. played for the first time in front of the El Paso fans and finished 3 for 4, with an RBI, one run scored and a stolen base. Tatis has had 6 hits for 17 at-bats, with six walks, in his first five rehab games with the Chihuahuas before becoming eligible to return to the majors on April 20.
Preston Tucker, left fielder for the canine ninth, finished with two hits in four turns, with a triple and four RBIs. Designated hitter Rangel Ravelo went 1-for-3 with two walks.
Trailing 8-5 in the eighth inning, Luis Liberato hit a three-run homer to tie the game. Liberato came on in the seventh inning for Tatis Jr.
With this loss, the Chihuahuas leave their mark at four wins and six losses, while Albuquerque improved to 6-4.
This Wednesday the second game of the series will be played starting at 11:05 in the morning. For the canines, the right-hander Pedro Ávila is announced to start on the shot hill and for the Isotopes the also right-hander Karl Kauffmann.
