PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Albuquerque Hangs On To Ground Birds 2-1

May 6, 2007 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


Buoyed by an excellent start from left-hander Chris George, and three scoreless innings from the beleaguered bullpen, the Albuquerque Isotopes (15-15) edged the Memphis Redbirds (16-15) 2-1 on a soggy Sunday afternoon at AutoZone Park. The victory is the 'Topes' seventh out of 11 contests on their nearly completed 12-game road trip.

Coming off two losses in three tough outings, George (2-2) was superb, allowing one unearned run on three hits while walking three and striking out five on his way to the victory, his first since Opening Day on April 5.

The starter received some support from his offense in the third thanks to some timely two-out hitting and the legs of Reggie Abercrombie. With two away in the top of the third, Abercrombie lined a single to left and promptly stole second base as well as third to set up a perfect RBI opportunity for Chad Hermansen, who delivered a single to center that put Albuquerque up 1-0. On the afternoon, Abercrombie stole four bases, a new single-game Isotopes record.

Meanwhile, the only thing that could disrupt George's rhythm was Mother Nature. After cruising through four frames in which he allowed just one base runner to reach second, and getting two quick outs in the bottom of the fifth, a cloud burst erupted on AutoZone Park causing the left-hander to walk Brendan Ryan before the umpires cleared the field and ordered the tarp to be applied. When play resumed 29 minutes later, George fired a pick-off attempt over the head of first-baseman Valentino Pascucci, allowing Ryan to trot to second. Edgar Gonzalez then drew a walk and Ryan stole third, giving Memphis runners on the corners for Nick Stavinoha, who singled up the middle to chase home Ryan with the tying score. George recovered beautifully, however, striking out Tagg Bozied to end the inning before settling in to retire the 'Birds in order in the sixth and finish his day's work at 109 pitches.

Albuquerque's offense immediately picked up its starter in the top of the seventh, when John Gall led off the frame by getting hit by a pitch from Memphis reliever Matt Ginter. Scott Seabol then laid down a perfect bunt that was fielded by third baseman Travis Hanson, who threw out Seabol. As Gall rounded second, he alertly noticed that nobody was covering third and immediately darted in that direction, drawing an inexplicable throw from first baseman Bozied to a bag bereft of any defensive player. As the throw sailed untouched up the left-field line, Gall scampered home to give the 'Topes a 2-1 lead, scoring all the way from first on a sacrifice bunt. Ginter (1-3) wound up taking the defeat.

Then it was up to the Isotopes' bullpen, which entered the game blowing leads in four straight contests, a streak that would end emphatically thanks to perfect innings from Chris Young and Ross Wolf, as well as a scoreless ninth from Justin Miller (5), who saved his fifth game in as many chances.

Albuquerque will wrap up its marathon 12-game road trip Monday with one final game in Memphis where first pitch is scheduled for 6:10 PM. Right-hander Jeff Fulchino (1-0, 5.58) takes the ball for the 'Topes against Redbirds lefty Troy Cate (1-1, 2.70).

The Isotopes return home Tuesday to take on Portland and Tacoma in another jam-packed homestand that includes Orbit's Birthday Bash, a visit by National Baseball Hall-of-Famer Johnny Bench and Isotopes Cookbook as well as a one-carat Diamond Giveaway on Mother's Day. Tickets can be purchased at Isotopes Park or any Ticketmaster outlet, www.ticketmaster.com, or Ticketmaster by phone 505-883-7800. For more information, visit www.albuquerquebaseball.com or call 505-924-2255.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from May 6, 2007


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