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PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Isotopes Chase the Chasers with 7-3 Home-Opener Win

April 14, 2012 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


In front of a throng of 10,059 exhilarated fans, the Isotopes (3-6) once again proved dominant during their home opener, tallying a 7-4 win against the Omaha Storm Chasers (7-2) Friday night at Isotopes Park. The victory serves as a solid start to the team's eight-game season-opening homestand.

For only the third time this season, the 'Topes collected the first runs of the ballgame when Tim Federowicz drew a walk and was quickly driven in by a two-run blast to center field from designated hitter, Josh Fields. The slim lead didn't last long as the Storm Chasers quickly returned the favor in the third inning with a single from Irving Falu, followed by a run-scoring double from Cody Clark. The 'Topes then hurt themselves with a throwing error by Luis Cruz, allowing Clark to advance to third. One out later, Johnny Giavotella poked a seeing-eye single through the right side to score Cruz and knot the score at 2-2 in the third inning.

The two clubs battled back and forth the remainder of the game, with Albuquerque scoring a run in the third inning from a monstrous solo shot from Jerry Sands, and again tagging another run on Storm Chasers' starter Ryan Verdugo, when Cruz slapped a triple and scored on a fielder's choice in the bottom of the fourth. Omaha battled back to again even the score at 4-4 in the following inning with Falu crossing home on a double from Clark, who then scored himself on a fielder's choice.

Albuquerque finally took the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth when the club played small ball, moving Federowicz and Fields into scoring position with a sacrifice fly from Cruz. The next at-bat proved the dagger for the Storm Chasers, when third baseman Joe Becker singled through the hole at second base, scoring both base runners and giving the Isotopes a 6-4 edge.

For good measure, the "˜Topes would tally one last time in the seventh on a sacrifice fly by Jeff Baisley to cruise to a 7-4 win, their fourth consecutive win in a home opener.

Fernando Nieve (1-1) earned the victory for the 'Topes, allowing four runs, three earned, on seven hits in 6.0 solid innings of work. The Isotopes bullpen refused to let the win slip away from Nieve, as Will Savage (H, 1) and John Wall (S, 2) slammed the door on the Storm Chasers, allowing only one hit and no runs in three combined innings.

For Omaha, Sean O'Sullivan (2-2) was saddled with the loss after allowing three runs, all earned, on six hits through four innings pitched.

The Isotopes and Storm Chasers continue their series in Albuquerque tomorrow at 7:05 PM. Right-hander John Ely (0-1, 21.00) will toe the rubber for the 'Topes against Chasers lefty Mike Montgomery (0-0, 4.15) as the Isotopes look to begin a home-winning streak at The Lab.

The action-packed homestand continues with the 'Topes giving away beanie caps to the first 3,000 fans through the Turnstiles on Saturday, courtesy of Coca-Cola. The weekend wraps up with an afternoon game on Sunday (1:35 PM), and the Isotopes will be honoring the Negro Leagues, Albuquerque Public Safety Officers and also giving out schedule magnets to the first 3,000 fans, courtesy of Dr. LoPour & Associates DDS. 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.abqisotopes.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from April 14, 2012


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