One could excuse the Iowa Cubs if they refuse to ever come back to Albuquerque again.
The Isotopes' 6-3 victory on Sunday afternoon in front of 5,668 fans marked the I-Cubs' 13th consecutive loss in New Mexico, a streak of ignominy that dates back to June 19, 2011.
"I don't know (what it is), but I like it," Isotopes manager Lorenzo Bundy said with a laugh. "This (Iowa) team is a different team, really. The team was a little strapped on the bench.
"So we probably caught them at a good time, but don't take any credit away from our guys. We played pretty darned good baseball."
Nick Buss went 4-for-4 with two RBI, while falling just a triple shy of the cycle, and Scott Van Slyke was 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI to power the Albuquerque lineup, which did not need a single big inning like the first three games.
"Offensively we got one there, got one there, get one here, next thing you know we've got a 7-1 lead going into the ninth," Bundy said.
Buss was making his first start of the year and picked up a slew of firsts at Triple-A, including first hit, first run, first home run and so on.
"Sometimes the roster you have sometimes there's a guy who doesn't get the opportunity as much," Bundy said. "Early on for Nick we didn't have the opportunities. He gave me a good reason to put him back out there (Monday)."
Buss said he appreciated the opportunity.
"Yeah, I'll take it," Buss said. "It was great to have a good day, it was great to get another win, get four in a row there and sweep the series."
The Isotopes' pitching was dominant again as Javy Guerra, Angel Castro and former New Mexico Lobo Steve Smith combined on a four-hitter.
"Today's effort by the bullpen once again — and Javy was very good also; Javy gave us a solid four innings other than a hanging breaking ball he did a very nice job — Mr. Castro just came in and carried us all the way to the ninth inning, staying aggressive with his fastball and then mixing in his breaking ball," Bundy said.
Guerra, making his first non-rehabilitation start since 2008, allowed just a solo home run to Ryan Sweeney in four innings of work. He walked two and struck out four.
"Really I'm just going out there and doing what they've asked of me," Guerra said. "I'm keeping the same mindset really just relieving every inning. Making sure you do what you need to do. From the get-go, using all your pitches, not worrying about starting and getting just fastball-happy."
Guerra's performance was even more impressive considering a minor injury.
"I tore my (middle) fingernail in the second inning, other than that we were good," Guerra said. "After the second inning we couldn't really throw the cutter or slider like I really wanted to. So after that it was really fastball command, fastball-changeup."
Bundy said the Dodgers do not see Guerra as a starter, but they want to stretch him out a bit more than years past.
"I don't know how much further we'll go than four innings or so at a time, maybe five," Bundy said. "He and Castro together (is the plan) as far as protecting him and protecting our bullpen. It gives Javy a chance to pitch and use all of his pitches."
Castro retired the first nine batters he faced, three by strikeout, before he walked a couple in the eighth. He got out of that minor jam with a groundout and a strikeout.
Iowa picked up two runs in the ninth off Castro before Smith came on to get the final out. He gave up a single to Sweeney before inducing a first-pitch flyout to right field by Luis Flores to end the game and complete the sweep behind four straight days of strong pitching.
"I think more than anything you guys are going to realize this team is full of great pitching," Guerra said.
The Isotopes will remain at home to start a four-game series with the Omaha Storm Chasers starting Monday at 6:35 p.m.
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