Albuquerque Blanks Birds in Finale
May 31, 2013 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release
MEMPHIS - Blake Johnson tossed seven shutout innings of two-hit ball to lead the Albuquerque Isotopes (29-26) to a 2-0 victory over the Memphis Redbirds (27-26) in the series finale at AutoZone Park Friday night. Johnson struck out five and walked three en route to his fifth win of the season.
A solo home run by Alex Castellanos in the fourth and an RBI single by Justin Sellers in the seventh was all the Albuquerque pitching staff needed to defeat Memphis in the final game of the four-game set. Castellanos is now tied with Chili Buss and Tim Federowicz for the team lead with eight home runs. The victory gave the Isotopes their second straight series win on the road.
After a stellar seven innings of work from Johnson, the Isotopes bullpen held Memphis hitless over the final two frames to secure the win. It was the fewest hits the pitching staff surrendered in a game this season and their first shutout of the year.
Chris Withrow earned his fourth hold with a scoreless eighth, walking one and striking out one. Josh Wall followed by striking out the side and walking one in the ninth for his second save of the season.
All but two batters in the Isotopes' starting lineup, including starter Blake Johnson, had a hit on the evening, although none had multiple hits. Albuquerque has taken six of eight from Memphis this season, with two more four-game sets still to come.
The Isotopes return home for a four-game set with the Oklahoma City RedHawks tomorrow, Saturday, June 1. Southpaw Aaron Laffey (1-2, 6.31) takes the hill against Ross Seaton (2-4, 7.78) for the 7:05 p.m. start at Isotopes Park. Also tomorrow, the first 2,000 fans will receive cowbells courtesy of Creamland Dairies and there will be post-game fireworks (weather permitting). All the action can be heard on 610 The Sports Animal with Josh Suchon on the call.
Tickets are on sale now at the Isotopes Park Box Office, at Ticketmaster outlets, through Ticketmaster by phone at (800) 745-3000, or online at www.abqisotopes.com or www.ticketmaster.com. For information, please call (505) 924-2255.
• Discuss this story on the Pacific Coast League message board...
Pacific Coast League Stories from May 31, 2013
- Aces Blanked in Series Finale - Reno Aces
- Albuquerque Overcomes Two Brock Peterson Homers for 7-5 Win - Memphis Redbirds
- AutoZone Park to Show "The Sandlot" on June 15 - Memphis Redbirds
- Gray Tosses Gem in River Cats' 2-1 Loss - Sacramento River Cats
- Isotopes Shut out Redbirds in Homestand Finale - Memphis Redbirds
- Zunino Lifts Rainiers Past Sky Sox, 6-5 - Tacoma Rainiers
- Cubs Drop Series in Nashville - Iowa Cubs
- Express Drops Series Finale to Zephyrs - Round Rock Express
- Zephyrs Fend off Sweep by Derailing Express - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Storm Chasers' Series Finale in Oklahoma City Postponed - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Albuquerque Blanks Birds in Finale - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Sounds Win Game and Series, 3-1 - Nashville Sounds
- Friday's RedHawks Game Postponed - Oklahoma City Comets
- White Returns From DL, Moylan Selected By Dodgers - Albuquerque Isotopes
- RedHawks vs. Storm Chasers - Game Notes - May 31, 2013 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Storm Chasers Announce Upcoming Promotions - Omaha Storm Chasers
- RedHawks to "Pitch in for Oklahoma" with Youth Equipment Drive - Oklahoma City Comets
- Aces Set To Begin Homestand - Reno Aces
- Bees Offer Lunch Time Specials for Tuesday, June 4 - Salt Lake Bees
- RedHawks Extend Omaha's Road Woes - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Fresno beats Tucson - Tucson Padres
- Parrino's Grand Slam Not Enough as Cats Fall, 9-5 - Sacramento River Cats
- Sky Sox Top Rainiers 10-8 - Colorado Springs Sky Sox
- Rainiers Stumble At Sky Sox, 10-8 - Tacoma Rainiers
- Frustrated Cubs Fall in Nashville - Iowa Cubs
- Express Sweep Doubleheader from Zephyrs - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- E-Train Sweeps Zephyrs in Doubleheader - Round Rock Express
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.
