PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Albuquerque Outlasts Memphis in 10-8 Slug-Fest

Published on June 28, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


The Albuquerque Isotopes (47-34) erupted for six runs in the seventh before fending off a late rally to seize a 10-8 win over the Memphis Redbirds (29-52) Thursday night at AutoZone Park. Trent Oeltjen collected three hits on the night while Alex Castellanos added three RBI to pace the Isotopes' offensive attack. At a whopping three hours and 35 minutes, the odyssey also clocked in the as the longest nine-inning game the Isotopes have played all year.

Trailing 6-3 in the seventh, the "˜Topes mounted a rally with back-to-back singles by Jerry Sands and Luis Cruz to start the frame off Memphis reliever John Gaub. After Tim Federowicz drew a walk to load the bases, Matt Angle bounced a single over the first base bag, scoring Sands and Cruz to draw Albuquerque within 6-4. Chuckie Fick then came on to replace Gaub and immediately surrendered a base hit to Brian Cavazos-Galvez that loaded the bases for the second time with no outs. Pinch-hitter Joe Becker kept the hit parade going, slapping an infield single to short that scored Federowicz and tied the contest 6-6. With the bases still loaded and nobody out, Oeltjen lined a single to shallow left, plating Angle and putting the visitors on top for the first time all night 7-6. Castellanos then capped the six-inning frame with a two-run single to left, extending the "˜Topes' advantage to 9-6. When the dust finally settled, Albuquerque had sent 11 men to the plate, scored six times, and racked up seven hits, all of them singles.

Memphis would not retire quietly into the humid night, however, responding with two of its own in the bottom of the eighth. With two down, Matt Adams lined a single to right off reliever Wil Ledezma and advanced to second on a walk to Lou Montanez. Ryan Jackson then hammered a double off the wall in left, scoring both runners and bringing the "˜Birds back to within 9-8. With the tying run on second, Ledezma gave way to closer, and freshly anointed PCL All-Star, Josh Wall, who coaxed a fly-out from Steven Hill to end the frame and the threat.

The Isotopes added some much-needed insurance in the in the top of the ninth courtesy of a solo home run by Castellanos that made the score 10-8 and kept Wall in the game to record his first four-out save since May 8. As he has 17 previous times this year, the right-hander answered the bell, retiring the Redbirds one-two-three in the ninth to secure his league-leading 18th save and the wild, 10-8 triumph.

Albuquerque will wrap up its short, three-game series against the Redbirds on Friday with right-hander Fernando Nieve (3-5, 6.63) taking the mound for the Isotopes against Memphis right-hander Brandon Dickson (3-7, 3.42) in a 6:05 PM MT start from AutoZone Park.

After a series in Memphis and another in Omaha, the Isotopes are back home Wednesday, July 4 for an Independence Day celebration in which fans will be able to watch the "˜Topes' annual Fourth of July fireworks spectacular from the field! The day also features a pre-game concert in the team's Captain's Corner by classic rock cover band Stratus Phear. In addition to the July 4th fireworks, the short, five-game homestand also features Saturday fireworks and an appearance by Myron Noodleman. 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.

Check out the Albuquerque Isotopes Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Pacific Coast League Stories from June 28, 2012


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.

OurSports Central