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Albuquerque Isotopes

Abreu slam sends 'Topes over Rainiers, 8-6

August 10, 2009 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


Appearing in his first game since a two-day stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tony Abreu wasted no time contributing for the Albuquerque Isotopes (64-53), mashing a two-out grand slam in the sixth and driving in five to lead the ‘Topes to an 8-6 victory over the Tacoma Rainiers (57-60) Monday night at Isotopes Park.

A five-run rally in the sixth capped by Abreu's big shot and solid pitching throughout the contest set up closer Scott Strickland (25) as the right-hander secured his 25th save in the ninth, the most saves ever recorded in Albuquerque baseball history. The previous record of 24 was set in 1980 by Albuquerque Duke Dennis Lewallyn, who was inducted into the Albuquerque Baseball Hall of Fame just two weeks ago.

‘Topes starter Giancarlo Alvarado surrendered two early runs before sitting down 10 straight. The reliable right-hander scattered six hits over six innings for three runs picking up his sixth home victory in his last seven starts at The Lab. Alvarado (10-9) recorded just one ground ball out (fielded by him) with the rest coming in the air or via the strikeout. The league-leader in batters fanned, Alvarado added four more to up his total to 118.

While Albuquerque mashed out 14 hits, Tacoma cashed in three walks and used two home runs to score all but one of their runs, a sacrifice fly in the second that gave them 1-0 lead.

The two teams then exchanged solo shots in the third inning, with Matt Tuiasosopo and Jason Repko both going deep to lead off each portion of the frame and establish a 2-1 Tacoma advantage.

With Alvarado locked in, Albuquerque seized the lead in the fifth. Repko, who collected a game-high three hits, singled through the left side before Abreu slashed a triple to right-center to send home Repko as the tying run. Major League rehabbing Doug Mientkiwicz, who also joined the ‘Topes today, followed with a double down the right-field line scoring Abreu for a 3-2 Albuquerque edge.

An Alvarado walk with two outs in the sixth tied it right up, however, as Alex Cintron roped a run-scoring triple for a 3-3 deadlock.

In customary fashion, the ‘Topes unleashed another big inning in the sixth as Dee Brown delivered a solo shot to again put Albuquerque up 4-3. Back-to-back singles from Jamie Hoffmann and Repko and an unsurprising walk to A.J. Ellis set up the salami for Abreu, the second grand slam for the ‘Topes in the past three days.

The five runs would prove vital as Corey Wade's two walks in the seventh came across to bring Tacoma to 8-5 and Strickland surrendered a solo home run to begin the ninth before closing out the win and snapping Tacoma's five-game win streak.

Albuquerque will look to win two in a row tomorrow behind lefty Scott Elbert (1-1, 6.27), who will be making his first start since returning from the Dodgers against Tacoma southpaw Jason Vargas (1-2, 2.93) in a 7:05 PM MT start from Isotopes Park.

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