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 Albuquerque Isotopes

Hoffmann Homers Help ‘Topes To 8-7 Victory

May 6, 2011 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


A five-run deficit proved no match for the Albuquerque Isotopes' (16-11) offense as the ‘Topes, paced by a pair of homers from Jamie Hoffmann, rallied to overtake the Memphis Redbirds (10-17) 8-7 for a series-opening win Friday night at Isotopes Park. Trayvon Robinson added four hits to the offensive onslaught, helping the Isotopes to their second straight win.

The Redbirds jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the second on a two-run shot by Andrew Brown, but the ‘Topes answered right back in the bottom of the second when Hoffmann led off the frame with a solo blast, cutting the lead to 2-1. Robinson then immediately followed with a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch by Memphis starter Brandon Dickson, providing an RBI chance for J.D. Closser, who delivered a base hit through the hole at second, scoring Robinson and tying the game at 2-2.

Memphis responded emphatically, scoring five times in the third to seize a commanding advantage. After a lead-off single by Jim Rapaport, Adron Chambers laced a double to left-center, scoring the base runner all the way from first and putting the visiting team on top 3-2. Nick Stavinoha added another base hit in front of Ramon Vazquez, who laced a single to right, plating Chambers and increasing the lead to 4-2 ‘Birds. Matt Carpenter added yet another base knock, the fifth straight hit to start the frame, scoring Stavinoha and boosting the lead to 5-2 Memphis. The biggest blow of the inning was administered by Pete Kozma, however, who hammered a double to right, scoring Vazquez and Carpenter to put the Redbirds ahead 7-2.

Undaunted, the Isotopes began chipping away in the fourth, when Robinson belted a solo home run to make the score 7-3. After a double by Closser, starting pitcher Francisco Felix hit a single through the hole at short, plating the base-runner and making it a three-run game at 7-4. .

Albuquerque kept coming in the fifth. Trent Oeltjen led off the frame with a double and was immediately cashed in by a monstrous homer by Corey Smith that cleared the wall in centerfield to bring the surging Isotopes all the way to within a single run at 7-6.

Finally, the Isotopes completed the rally in the seventh, when Smith stroke a one-out double, putting the tying run in the scoring position for Hoffmann, who launched a mammoth shot to left-center, giving Albuquerque its first, and only, lead of the game at 8-7.

While the Isotopes' splashy offense grabbed the headlines, Albuquerque's pitchers deserved a lot of credit as well. After his rough third inning, Felix settled in, tossing three scoreless frames before handing off to Wilkin De La Rosa (1-0), who authored two scoreless innings of his own to earn his first Triple-A win. Scott Elbert (2) finished the job in the ninth, mowing down the Redbirds in order to seal the dramatic comeback win.

The Isotopes will look for their third straight victory on Saturday behind right-hander John Ely (1-1, 3.55), who will take on Memphis lefty Raul Valdes (2-1, 6.29) in a 7:05 PM from The Lab.

The ‘Topes' continue their massive eight-game homestand that features wall-to-wall promotions, including post-game fireworks on Saturday, and a Mother's Day extravaganza that includes a pre-game celebrity softball game, a carnation giveaway to the first 1,000 moms, and the team's first ever Bark In the Park. 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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