Carlos Frias leads Isotopes to series win over Sacramento

ALBUQUERQUE -- Carlos Frias delivered the best starting pitching performance of the entire four-game series by either team, leading the Isotopes to a 7-6 victory over the River Cats on Sunday night, Albuquerque's third win in the four-game series.

"He had good command of the fastball, it had good late action on it," manager Damon Berryhill said. "He showed a real nice slider and had a real quality changeup."

Frias pitched into the seventh inning, allowing four runs on eight hits, with two walks and a pair of strikeouts, but his outing was better than that. He allowed only one run and got 12 ground ball outs through 6⅔ innings, but Sacramento rallied for four straight two-out hits, including two doubles to cut a 5-1 deficit to 5-4.

"I'm not a strikeout pitcher, I'm a ground ball pitcher. I know my role," Frias said. "You have to get a ground ball. You never see a ground ball hit over the fence."

The 24-year-old Frias, a non-roster invitee to Dodgers spring training camp this year, is 3-0 with a 2.70 ERA over his last five starts, with 23 strikeouts and seven walks in 26⅔ innings.

"He's probably been our most consistent starter, he and [Jeff] Bennett, since about his fourth start. He's been one of our top guys," Berryhill said. "He's come a long way. He's starting to become a pitcher more than a thrower."

Frias was the only one of eight starting pitchers this series to not allow more runs than innings pitched. The other seven starters combined to allow 44 runs (36 earned) on 54 hits in 33⅔ innings, for a robust 9.62 ERA.

Carlos Triunfel, who hit the game-winning home run in the eighth inning on Saturday night, drove in three runs Sunday with a double, single and a sacrifice fly.

Brock Peterson was 3-for-4, including a two-run double that widened the Isotopes' lead to 7-4 in the seventh inning. He extended his hitting streak to nine games, including four straight multi-hit games against Sacramento.

"Since he's been outstanding, there's no question. He's a professional hitter and he's been hot for us," Berryhill said of Peterson. "You can stick him right in the middle of the lineup and he'll give you those quality at-bats."

Mike Baxter was 2-for-3 with a double, a walk and two RBI, and is 8-for-12 (.667) in his last three games.

Joc Pederson was 1-for-3 at the plate, and from center field threw out Jose Martinez at the plate, trying to score from second base in the second inning, on a strong one-hop throw. Pederson also walked. Proof:

Rehab shift

The original plan for Chone Figgins was to be the designated hitter on Sunday, his fourth rehab game with the Isotopes, but he was a late scratch. The new plan, with Figgins given the day off Sunday, is for him to play shortstop on Monday night. Figgins has played third base, second base and left field so far during this rehab assignment.

Up next

The Isotopes welcome the Fresno Grizzlies (Giants) to town for four games beginning Monday night, with Zach Lee starting the opener for Albuquerque. Edwin Escobar, who hit Corey Seager with a pitch in last Sunday's Futures Game, will start for Fresno.

Scott Elbert is expected to pitch again in relief Monday for the Isotopes, continuing his rehab assignment.

Sunday particulars

Home run: Josh Whitaker (2)

WP - Carlos Frias (7-4): 6⅔ IP, 8 hits, 4 runs, 2 walks, 2 strikeouts

LP - Arnold Leon (9-4): 6⅔ IP, 11 hits, 7 runs (5 earned), 2 walks, 7 strikeouts

Sv - Pedro Baez (5): 1 IP, 2 hits, 1 run