In a night where offense ruled all, the Albuquerque Isotopes (49-44) destroyed the New Orleans Zephyrs (41-51) 17-8 to capture their franchise-high ninth straight home victory and second sweep of the Z's at home this season. The 'Topes racked up season-highs with 17 runs and 22 hits, both marks just one short of the franchise record, to improve to 8-0 against New Orleans at home this season. The last time the Isotopes won nine straight at home was from May 14-31, 2005. Each 'Tope in the starting lineup collected at least one hit with all eight position players recording multiple knocks. Tony Abreu led the hit barrage, falling a double shy of the cycle with four hits and six RBI, the fifth 'Tope to do so this season.
Abreu fittingly led off the Albuquerque bombardment opening the bottom of the first with a solo shot to deep center that was just the beginning as the next four 'Topes scored and Albuquerque batted around to establish an early 5-0 lead.
After the two teams exchanged single tallies in the second inning, New Orleans duplicated Albuquerque's first inning, plating five, including four straight, in the top of the third to create a seemingly unlikely 6-6 tie.
While the first three innings lasted two hours, the tie was much shorter as Albuquerque stormed back for three runs in the third. Back-to-back singles from A.J. Ellis and Jovanny Rosario quickly set up Abreu, who laced a triple to left-center to plate the two runners. J.D. Closser sent home Luis Maza, who reached on a fielder's choice, with a single to right two batters later that made it 9-6 'Topes.
In the bottom of the seventh, Albuquerque batted around for the second time as 11 of the 12 'Topes sent to the plate reached base with two outs coming on the base paths. Ellis and Rosario again slashed back-to-back singles allowing Abreu a second opportunity to drive the two in, one he fulfilled with a single through the left side which upped the lead to 11-6. Mitch Jones would add two more, plating Abreu and Maza, who scored a game-high four runs. Chin-Lung Hu capped the outburst with an RBI groundout to make it a comfortable 15-6 advantage.
Meanwhile, reliever Hyang-Nam Choi, who entered in the second in place of spot-starter Dwayne Pollok, surrendered a sacrifice fly, a single and double that allowed the inherited runners from Pollok to score. Choi combined with Josh Lindblom and Henry Bonilla to deny the Z's any further runs over the next four innings before Gaby Sanchez belted a two-run homer in the top of the eighth off Bonilla. The 'Topes responded with two in the ninth and the lead was more than enough much as newcomer Marlon Arias pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to seal the colossal win.
The red-hot Isotopes will hit the road tomorrow to take on division rival Round Rock with right-hander J.D. Durbin (0-0, No ERA), making his 'Topes debut against Express right-hander Yorman Bazardo (7-4, 3.03) in a 6:05 PM start from Dell Diamond
After just four games in Round Rock, the Isotopes return home this Friday for the first of a four-game series against the Iowa Cubs, Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. The homestand will feature a slew of great promotions, including baseball and drawstring backpack giveaways as well as the third fireworks show of the month! 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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