June 18, 2013
127
Games Today




Ely Resilient in 8-5 'Topes Win

August 3, 2012 - Pacific Coast League (PCL) Albuquerque Isotopes

Starter John Ely picked up his team-leading 11th win as the Albuquerque Isotopes (65-48) broke a 4-4 tie in the sixth with a two-out, two-run rally that paced an 8-5 victory over the Las Vegas 51s on Thursday night at Isotopes Park. The win snaps a three-game losing streak and keeps the 'Topes a game and a half ahead of the Oklahoma City Redhawks in the PCL's American Southern Division.

Ely, after allowing two quick runs in the first, settled down to retire 12 batters in a row from the second to the fourth inning. Through 7.0 frames of work, the right-hander held the visiting 51s to four runs while walking two and fanning four, extending his circuit-leading strikeout count to 138. With the victory, Ely is now tied for first among all PCL starters in wins and ranks just one triumph short of tying the franchise record for home victories (8).

Trailing 2-0, Albuquerque immediately responded in the bottom half of the first when Trent Oeltjen poked a leadoff single and scored on a triple from Ivan De Jesus Jr. to cut the deficit 2-1. Alex Castellanos followed with an RBI double that plated De Jesus Jr., and three batters later Josh Fields slapped an RBI single that gave the 'Topes a 3-2 advantage.

The Isotopes added a run in the fifth on an RBI single from Matt Angle, one of four hits on the night, to take a 4-2 lead, but the 51s knotted the game with a two-run homer from Danny Perales in the top of the sixth.

With the contest knotted 4-4, the Isotopes began their rally as De Jesus Jr. drew a two-out walk and advanced to second on a single from Castellanos. Jerry Sands then belted a two-run double to center that gave Albuquerque a 6-4 edge. The slugger has hit in nine straight games and has driven in a remarkable 20 runs over his last six contests.

The 'Topes padded their cushion in the eighth when Oeltjen hit a leadoff single to left, took second on a walk to De Jesus Jr. and came to rest at third on a single from Castellanos. With the bases loaded, Sands coaxed a free pass from Las Vegas reliever Jim Hoey that brought in Oeltjen and extended the lead 7-4. Following a 51s pitching change, Fields made it 8-4 when he plated De Jesus Jr. with a deep sac-fly to right.

Las Vegas would make it interesting in the final frame, immediately putting two runners on with consecutive singles from Mike McDade and Ricardo Nanita. 'Topes reliever Scott Rice then hurled a wild pitch that allowed both runners to advance, and Tim Federowicz's throw to second went sailing into the outfield to bring McDade home and draw the 51s within 8-5. Following a groundout from Mark Sobolewski, Isotopes closer Josh Wall (20) took over and quickly collected the final two outs to earn his league-best 20th save while preserving the 8-5 Albuquerque win.

Albuquerque and Las Vegas continue their series tomorrow night at 7:05 PM from Isotopes Park. 'Topes southpaw Derrick Loop (9-2, 4.08) will entertain 51s right-hander Scott Richmond (7-6, 6.20) in the third contest of the four-game series.

The Isotopes mega homestand rolls on with a live performance by the Zooperstars tomorrow night, followed by fireworks on Saturday and a Dodger Stadium replica giveaway on Sunday! 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.

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


Pacific Coast League Stories from August 3, 2012


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.