PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Sands Sparks 'Topes to 4-2 Win over Memphis

Published on August 25, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


With trade rumors swirling around him for a stretch of 36 hours, Jerry Sands delivered a two-run homer in his first at-bat that propelled the Albuquerque Isotopes (77-58) to a thrilling 4-2 win over the Memphis Redbirds (50-85) on Saturday night at AutoZone Park. Scott Van Slyke also chipped in three hits, including two doubles, in the winning effort.

After Josh Fields hit a one-out single in the top of the first inning, Sands wasted little time announcing to the PCL that the league's most ferocious hitter hadn't gone anywhere, crushing a two-run homer over the wall in left to give Albuquerque a 2-0 edge. Sands has now collected a hit in 24 of his last 25 games and has driven in 14 runs in his last 10 contests.

The "˜Topes added to their lead in the third when Elian Herrera started the frame with a single and advanced to third on a base hit by Fields, putting runners on the corners with no outs. Van Slyke then slapped a single to center, sending Herrera trotting home and increasing the visitor's lead to three runs at 3-0.

Memphis would answer in the bottom of the third thanks to the long ball. Adron Chambers laced a one-out single and promptly was cashed in when Steven Hill smashed a two-run homer to left, bringing the "˜Birds within a run at 3-2.

Hill's blast proved to be the only blemish on an excellent night by "˜Topes starter Fernando Nieve, who pitched 6.0 strong innings, allowing just the two runs on four hits while striking out a season-high-tying eight. After surrendering the home run, Nieve (7-8) finished his outing by setting down 10 of the last 11 Redbirds he faced.

Albuquerque added an always important run of insurance in the top of the eighth with some hustle and timely hitting. Scott Van Slyke poked a ground ball up the middle that deflected off the glove of shortstop Pete Kozma and trickled into centerfield just off the infield dirt. After noticing that nobody was covering second base, Van Slyke alertly chugged around first and slid into second with an infield double. The hustle play set up Tim Federowicz, who lined a single into center that plated Van Slyke and bolstered the "˜Topes' lead to 4-2.

The plucky "˜Birds would mount a rally in the bottom of the eighth, when Eugenio Velez led off the frame with a double to left and advanced to third on a single by Chambers, putting the tying run on base with no outs. Reliever Javy Guerra responded to the challenge, however, getting a strikeout, a pop-out, and a groundout to end the threat and preserve the two-run cushion. Closer Josh Wall (27) then authored a scoreless ninth to secure his PCL-leading 27th save of the season in a 4-2 "˜Topes win.

Albuquerque will finish off its season series with the Redbirds with one final game on Sunday in Memphis beginning at 5:05 PM MT. Right-hander Stephen Fife (10-6, 4.58) will make the start for the "˜Topes against "˜Birds top prospect righty Shelby Miller (9-10, 5.04).

After a nine-game road trip through Memphis and Oklahoma City, the Isotopes are back home next Friday, August 31 for the last four game series of the 2012 regular season. In addition to a pivotal series against the Omaha Storm Chasers, the series includes Fan Appreciation Weekend, featuring three straight fireworks extravaganzas. As if that weren't enough, the "˜Topes will also be giving away grab bags full of awesome Isotopes giveaways! 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 August 25, 2012


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