June 19, 2013
145
Games Today




Isotopes Walk-Off With 7-6 Win Over Z's

April 25, 2011 - Pacific Coast League (PCL) Albuquerque Isotopes

J.D. Closser delivered a bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Albuquerque Isotopes (10-8) a dramatic 7-6 win over the New Orleans Zephyrs (9-10) Monday night at Isotopes Park.

With the score knotted at 6-6 in the ninth, the red-hot Corey Smith ignited the Isotopes rally with a lead-off single, one of three hits on the night for the big first baseman. Trent Oeltjen then lined a single to center, moving Smith to third, before pinch-hitter Damaso Espino was drilled by a pitch from Steve Cishek in the back loading the bases with nobody out. That put Closser in the position to be the hero and the switch-hitting catcher came through, lifting a sacrifice fly deep to center that chased home Smith and gave Albuquerque the walk-off win.

The ninth inning drama capped a taut game that featured the Isotopes repeatedly taking a lead only to have the Zephyrs repeatedly come back and tie it. The ‘Topes jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first when Smith smacked an RBI single and Russ Mitchell knocked in a run on a sac fly of his own, but the Z's responded in the top of the second with a solo homer by Joe Thurston to cut the Albuquerque lead to 2-1.

Jay Gibbons hammered a two-run double in the second to increase the advantage to 4-1, but New Orleans again stayed in striking distance with two runs in the fifth on back-to-back RBI single by Ruben Gotay and Thurston, making the score 4-3 ‘Topes.

The Zephyrs had two more rallies left in them. After Mitchell crushed a ball over the wall in left center, giving the home team a 5-3 edge, New Orleans answered with two in the seventh to tie. Bryan Peterson started the uprising with a single, stole second and scored on a double by Thurston, who immediately came around to score on a single by Chris Aguila to knot the contest at 5-5. Thurston finished the evening with three RBI and came a triple away from the cycle in the losing effort.

The stalemate would not last long, as Smith added a solo homer of his own in the bottom of the seventh, giving Albuquerque a 6-5 lead, but again, the advantage would prove fleeting. New Orleans scored the equalizer in the eighth when Brad Davis walked, was sacrificed to second, and came home on a ball that was misplayed at second by Justin Sellers, a run that merely set up the inevitable ‘Topes triumph.

Albuquerque starter John Ely was superb for the ‘Topes, going six strong innings in which he allowed three runs on six hits while walking two and striking out three in a no-decision. The right-hander coaxed 12 ground ball outs, tossing a total of 96 pitches.

Reliever Merkin Valdez (1-0) earned the victory for the Isotopes after a scoreless 1.2 innings while Cishek (0-1) suffered the loss.

The ‘Topes will look for a series win on Tuesday behind steady left-hander Dana Eveland (2-1, 3.93), who will get the ball for Albuquerque against New Orleans righty Adalberto Mendez (1-1, 7.02). First pitch is slated for 12:05 PM at Isotopes Park.

Albuquerque and New Orleans close out their series on Tuesday with the second Business Person's Special of the season, which is always a great excuse to play hooky from work. 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.

• Discuss this story on the Pacific Coast League message board...
• Digg this story
• Add to Del.icio.us


Pacific Coast League Stories from April 25, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.