PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Albuquerque Levels Rainiers, 20-7

Published on August 7, 2011 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


The Albuquerque Isotopes (59-56) put up a season-high 20 runs, including 11 in the third, tying a franchise record and helping the ‚¬ËœTopes obliterate the Tacoma Rainiers (57-58) by the score of 20-7 on a sensational Saturday night at Isotopes Park. The ‚¬ËœTopes were paced at the plate by Russ Mitchell and Jamie Hoffmann, who had two home runs apiece.

Tacoma got off to a quick lead in the top of the second when Greg Halman roped an RBI single and Johan Limonta blasted a grand slam to give the visitors a 5-0 edge, but the ‚¬ËœTopes began their own offensive onslaught in the bottom of the frame. With two on and nobody out, Hoffmann connected on a three-run homer to left, cutting the deficit to 5-3. Damaso Espino then followed with a walk, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and motored into third on a groundout for Justin Sellers, who hit a single to left-center, driving in Espino and trimming the lead to 5-4 after two innings.

The Rainiers again added to the lead in the top of the third on a two-run homer by Carlos Peguero that made the score 7-4 before Albuquerque exploded in the bottom of the frame. With Mitchell on second and John Lindsey on first, Jerry Sands roped a single to left-center plating Mitchell and cutting the deficit to 7-5. Hoffmann added a single in front of Espino, who cracked a single through the hole at shortstop, plating Lindsey and Sands to knot the game at 7-7. The Isotopes kept their foot on the accelerator, as Joe Becker added an RBI single plating Hoffmann before Brad Coon dropped down a perfect bunt single that loaded the bases with still no outs in the frame. After an RBI force-out by A.J. Ellis, Mitchell hammered a three-run shot to left-center that gave Albuquerque a 12-7 lead. Lindsey then singled in front of Sands, who hit a two-run blast to right, upping the advantage to 14-7. The very next batter Hoffmann then capped the inning with his second homer of the game, this one a solo blast, to send the ‚¬ËœTopes to a 15-7 lead. When the dust finally cleared, the Isotopes had sent 14 men to the plate, tying a franchise record with 11 runs on 10 hits, three of which were home runs.

The offensive deluge continues one inning later, as Becker led off the fourth with a solo homer, extending the cushion to 16-7 Albuquerque. After back-to-back walks, Ellis roped an RBI single, which set up Mitchell, who crushed his second three-run homer of the game, giving the Isotopes a 20-7 lead. Mitchell finished the night with a season-high six RBI after going 3-for-6 with two homers and a double.

Albuquerque pitching then did the rest with Ramon Troncoso (2-2) tossing three scoreless frames to earn his second win of the season. Travis Schlichting added two more scoreless frames before Roy Corcoran shut down the Rainiers in the ninth to send Albuquerque to a 20-7 rout.

The Isotopes now will welcome the Salt Lake Bees, Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels, to the Duke City for a four-game set beginning on Sunday evening at 6:05 PM. ‚¬ËœTopes lefty ace Dana Eveland (11-5, 3.32) takes the hill against Bees righty Trevor Bell (2-2, 4.34).

Albuquerque's big homestand continues Sunday with an Isotopes cap giveaway to the first 3,000 fans on Sunday courtesy of Mattress Firm. 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.albuquerquebaseball.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Check out the Albuquerque Isotopes Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 7, 2011


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