Isotopes (7-8): 4

Cubs (7-8): 3

WP: Ely (1-1)

LP: Wood (1-1)

We had the ever so common pitchers duel at Isotopes Park, a duel that led to the Isotopes' third straight win.

"We had a regular ball game here tonight," skipper Lorenzo Bundy joked about the 2 hour 27 minute ball game that featured more pitching than offense. 

John Ely got the start for the 'Topes on Thursday, and he was terrific against everyone not named Anthony Rizzo.

"I was able to mix it up and keep the ball down... basically keep the ball on the ground and not in the air and that's what you want to do here (Isotopes Park)," John Ely said. 

The Isotopes starter was also very efficient on the night, throwing just 93 pitches in his seven innings of work.

Said John Ely about that efficiency, "I've learned in the past that it's best to just go at guys and attack. You really want to get contact in the first three pitches (of the at-bat) as a starter, that way you save the bullpen by going to deeper in the games."

The only three runs surrendered by Ely on the evening were product of two home runs off the bat of the highly regarded prospect, Rizzo.

"I guess Rizzo is just seeing it against me," Ely said. "He is definitely comfortable in there."

After Josh Fields' two-run homer in the second inning to tie the game, the Isotopes' offense ran a bit stagnant for much of the game as Cubs starter Travis Wood found his groove.

The 'Topes tied the game in the sixth when Jerry Sands stroked an RBI single to left, driving in Trent Oeltjen, who doubled in the previous at-bat.

They would then take the lead in the seventh thanks to a pinch-hit RBI single off the bat of Joe Becker. 

The bullpen would handle it from there. 

The struggling Wilfredo Ledezma tossed a scoreless eighth and Josh Wall twirled a perfect ninth to seal the win for the 'Topes -- his fourth save of the season.

"Ledezma, whose had a rough time, had a nice inning. That is what he is capable of doing," Bundy said. "Josh Wall has been very, very good for us," he added.

Alex Castellanos got the night off for the 'Topes for the first time this season.

Josh Bard started in place of Tim Federowicz and went 2-3 with an RBI.

Scott Van Slyke and Luis Cruz were both held hitless against the Cubs tonight.

Wilfredo Ledezma had given up 11 earned runs in his 3.2 innings of work this season prior to his outing tonight.

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