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Albuquerque Isotopes

O-Royals Rip Isotopes

April 20, 2009 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


Stymied for much of the game, the Albuquerque Isotopes (5-7) tried to mount a comeback in the last two innings, but the Omaha Royals (7-5) were too much, out-pacing the ‘Topes 7-2 Monday afternoon at Rosenblatt Stadium. Despite dropping their last two games, the Isotopes leave Nebraska with a split in the first four-game road series of the season.

Down 4-0 in the eighth and in danger of being shutout by Omaha for the third time in eight games, Chin-Lung Hu started a rally with a one-out single. A.J. Ellis then pounded a double to right that chased home Hu and brought Albuquerque back to within striking distance at 4-1.

Omaha would quash any Isotopes momentum in the bottom of the eighth, however, plating three runs, all with two outs, to seize a commanding 7-1 advantage. Irving Falu got the scoring started with an RBI single before Tug Hulett delivered the knock-out punch, a bases-loaded two-run single that increased the Royals lead to six.

Albuquerque plated one last run in the ninth when Valentino Pascucci roped a two-out double to left and scored on a bloop single to center by Dee Brown to cut the advantage to 7-2, but that's as close as the ‘Topes would come.

Prior to the last two innings, the Isotopes were held in check by Omaha starter Luke Hochevar (3-0), who cruised through eight innings, allowing one run on five hits (two of which came in the eighth), while walking two and striking out four en route to his third win of the season in as many starts.

Albuquerque starting pitcher Giancarlo Alvarado (0-2) suffered his second loss of the season but deserved a better fate. The right-hander allowed one run on four hits in five strong innings while walking two and striking out three. After yielding back-to-back doubles in the first that resulted in a quick 1-0 Omaha lead, Alvarado shut the door, yielding just two hits and allowing one base runner to reach second the rest of his outing.

Clinging to a 1-0 advantage, the Royals added some insurance against the ‘Topes' bullpen in the sixth. With the bases loaded and nobody out, Albuquerque reliever Scott Strickland walked Chris Lubanski to push across Omaha's second run of the game. An RBI groundout by Falu gave the O-Royals a 3-0 lead before Luis Hernandez capped the scoring with an RBI single that extended the advantage to 4-0.

The Isotopes continue their season-high 12-game road trip tomorrow with a trip to Des Moines, Iowa for a four-game set against the Iowa Cubs. Lefty Eric Milton (0-2, 9.00) will get the ball for Albuquerque against I-Cubs right-hander Esmailin Caridad in a 5:35 PM MT start from Principal Park.

Albuquerque returns home on April 30 for a homestand with the Round Rock Express, Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros, that includes a hat giveaway, and the first post-game fireworks show of the young season. Tickets for any Isotopes game may be purchased at the Isotopes Park Box Office, at Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 1-800-745-3000, or on-line at www.albuquerquebaseball.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 20, 2009


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