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Isotopes Edge Zephyrs 4-3 in 12 Innings

April 28, 2012 - Pacific Coast League (PCL) Albuquerque Isotopes

Luis Cruz roped an RBI double in the top of the 12th to send the Albuquerque Isotopes (12-11) to a dramatic 4-3, 12-inning win over the New Orleans Zephyrs (14-8) Saturday night at Zephyr Field. The extra-inning thriller, Albuquerque's second in less than a week, breaks a season-high three-game losing streak for the "˜Topes.

Knotted 3-3 in the top of the 12th, pinch-hitter Josh Fields led off the frame by drawing a walk from Z's reliever Elih Villanueva. After coaxing a fly-out and a ground-out, Villanueva looked poised to get out of the inning, until Cruz took a 3-2 pitch and laced it into the corner in left field for a double, scoring Fields all the way from first and giving Albuquerque a 4-3 edge.

The "˜Topes then placed the game in the extremely capable hands of their right-handed closer Josh Wall (5), who delivered a one-two-three bottom of the 12th to secure his fifth save of the season and the 4-3 Isotopes win.

Unlike Friday night's pitcher's duel, this one featured the Isotopes grabbing the quick lead, scoring a run in the top of the third on a bases-loaded walk to Jeff Baisley to seize an early 1-0 advantage.

After New Orleans tied the game on a Cole Armstrong RBI double in the bottom of the fifth, the "˜Topes re-took the lead in the seventh. Matt Angle, making his first start since returning from the Disabled List with a hamstring strain, started the rally with a lead-off single and scampered into second on a sacrifice bunt by pitcher Will Savage. The fleet-footed Angle celebrated his return to the active roster with two hits and two runs scored. Elian Herrera then slapped a single to right, plating Angle and giving the visitors a 2-1 lead. Herrera alertly advanced to second on the throw home in the vain attempt to toss out Angle, a smart base-running move that immediately paid off when Joe Becker lined a single to center, scoring Herrera and increasing the Isotopes' lead to 3-1.

The Z's would respond, however, scoring a run in the bottom of the seventh on an RBI single by Armstrong and adding one more tally in the eighth on a Luke Montz sacrifice fly to knot the contest at 3-3 and ultimately send the contest into extra innings.

"˜Topes reliever Derrick Loop (2-0) earned the victory after three scoreless innings, while Villanueva (3-1) suffered his first loss of the season.

Albuquerque will wrap up its four-game series in the Big Easy with day baseball, featuring a 12:00 PM MT first pitch from Zephyr Field. Righty Stephen Fife (1-2, 9.92) will get the ball for the "˜Topes taking on Z's lefty Wade LeBlanc (1-1, 3.86).

After a series in New Orleans, the Isotopes are back home Monday for a loaded homestand that kicks off with the first of three 50-Cent Hot Dog Nights and includes back-to-back weekend fireworks. 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 28, 2012


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