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PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Pascucci towers 'Topes past Z's 7-4

May 10, 2009 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


Valentino Pascucci crushed a three-run blast over the right field wall in the bottom of the fifth to give the Albuquerque Isotopes (15-14) a lead and three ‘Topes relievers made it stand, as Albuquerque notched a 7-4 win over the New Orleans Zephyrs (12-18) on a splendid Mother's Day Sunday afternoon at Isotopes Park.

Trailing 3-1 entering the fifth, the ‘Topes used a four-run frame to grab the lead. After Blake DeWitt reached on an error and Hector Luna singled to center, Dee Brown shot the tenth pitch of his at-bat to right-center, scoring DeWitt and trimming the deficit to 3-2. Pascucci then gave the ‘Topes the instant advantage, crushing a 0-1 offering that curled around the right field foul pole to make it 5-3 Albuquerque.

The Z's would pick up only one more run over the course of their final four frames. Reliever Eric Threets turned in a solid appearance, preserving the ‘Topes lead with 2.1 innings of work in which he allowed just one run on two hits while walking one and striking out three.

With the Isotopes holding a tenuous 5-4 lead, Luna added some insurance with a solo shot to deep center field in the bottom of the seventh to increase the advantage 6-4. The hot-hitting third baseman, who also went deep in last night's game, finished with three hits and two runs scored.

Although Albuquerque committed four errors in the first two innings, it was defense that kept them in the game late. Henry Bonilla, who took over for Threets with one out in the eighth, put two runners aboard with a single and a walk. After Bonilla induced a fly out to Z's catcher John Purdom, Jason Repko made a sensational diving catch in center field for the final out, preventing New Orleans from mounting a comeback rally.

Albuquerque manufactured an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth. A.J. Ellis singled up the middle to lead off the inning and moved to third after a sacrifice bunt from pinch-hitter Luis Maza before cruising into third on a passed ball. Repko, who drove in the first Albuquerque run of the game with an RBI double in the fourth, sent a sacrifice fly to center to plate Ellis and up the lead to 7-4.

Closer Scott Strickland (2) sat the Z's down in order in the bottom of the ninth, with two strikeouts, to pick up his second save in as many days. Starter Giancarlo Alvarado (2-2) became the fifth ‘Topes starter in a row to pick up a victory, earning his second win of the season. Alvarado tossed five innings allowing six hits and three unearned runs with four strikeouts.

Tomorrow, lefty Eric Milton (3-2, 3.00) will face off with right-hander Vince Mazzaro (0-2, 4.34) as the ‘Topes go for the series sweep in a 12:05 p.m. Businessperson's Special at Isotopes Park.

The Isotopes wrap up their short, four-game homestand with a Businessperson's Special / School Day Matinee tomorrow. 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 www.albuquerquebaseball.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from May 10, 2009


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