PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

'Topes Double up on Grizzlies with 8-7 Win

Published on May 23, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


Luis Cruz went 3-for-5 with three doubles while the Albuquerque Isotopes (27-19) pounded out eight two-baggers, both tying franchise records, as the 'Topes held on for an 8-7 win over the Fresno Grizzlies (30-15) 8-7 on Tuesday night at Isotopes Park.

Albuquerque took a quick four-run lead in the first inning as Trent Oeltjen led off the game with a solo homer to right. After a Josh Fields double and a walk to Jeff Baisley, Cruz then roped his first double of the night, plating Fields and making the score 2-0 'Topes. Two batters later, Brian Cavazos-Galvez blasted his own two-bagger, plating the runners and extending Albuquerque's lead 4-0.

The Isotopes found the scoreboard again in the third inning when Baisley poked a single to left, scoring on Cruz's second double in as many at-bats, making the score 3-0, 'Topes. Cavazos-Galvez followed with a single to left, scoring Cruz and giving the Isotopes a 6-0 edge.

'Topes starter Michael Antonini kept the Fresno bats at bay through his 5.0 innings of work, retiring the first nine batters he faced and not allowing a hit until the fifth inning. The starter ran into a wall in the sixth, however, allowing a run on a triple from Francisco Peguero before retiring for the night. Following an Isotopes pitching change, Fresno finished off what would become a six-run inning on the back of a three-run double from Juan Ciriaco that tied the game 6-6.

Albuquerque then grabbed a temporary lead in the seventh as Tim Federowicz roped a double to right and scored on a missed-catch error from first baseman Todd Linden that gave the 'Topes a 7-6 lead.

The Grizzlies immediately responded in the eighth with a leadoff triple from Nick Noonan, who came home on a sac-fly to right, tying the game 7-7. The 'Topes then delivered a rally of their own, beginning with a single from Kyle Russell and a sac-bunt from Oeltjen that advanced the runner to second. Aaron Miles followed with an infield hit to third, putting the go-ahead run 90 feet away. With one out pinch-hitter Joe Becker came through in the clutch, smacking an RBI single up the middle to give the 'Topes an 8-7 lead.

The one run lead was more than enough for 'Topes closer Josh Wall (10), who retired the side in order, preserving an 8-7 Isotopes victory.

The 'Topes continue their series against Fresno tomorrow night at 6:35 PM. Isotopes righty Mike Parisi (1-1, 2.61) makes his first start after coming off the DL against Grizzlies southpaw Brian Burres (2-3, 5.59) in game three of the four-game set.

The Isotopes 12-game homestand rolls on with an insulated cooler bag giveaway on Thursday courtesy Gonstead Family Chiropractic, followed by a tin lunch box giveaway on Friday and a special Military Appreciation Weekend with back-to-back fireworks shows. 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 .

Check out the Albuquerque Isotopes Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from May 23, 2012


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