Albuquerque Takes Game One Over O-Royals 5-1
Published on August 21, 2007 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release
Pitcher Nic Ungs pitched a gem on short rest and Robert Andino belted a three-run homer in an extra eighth inning to pace the Albuquerque Isotopes (66-62) to a 5-1 win over the Omaha Royals (65-65) in the first game of a doubleheader Tuesday morning at Rosenblatt Stadium. The 'Topes have now won a season-high six straight games and have extended their lead in the PCL's American Southern Division to a full game.
It was breakfast baseball for the Isotopes and O-Royals as last night's game was postponed due to imminent severe weather, forcing an early 9:30 AM Mountain Time first pitch for the opening stanza of the twin bill so that both games could be completed in time for Albuquerque's flight home tonight. Compounding the difficulty for the 'Topes was a late scratch by scheduled starter Kenny Baugh due to sickness, forcing Nic Ungs to take the ball on three days rest.
The right-hander showed no ill effects of having to be pressed into emergency service, allowing just two hits in 5.2 scoreless frames while walking two and striking out three.
Ungs received some run support early courtesy of a monster blast off of the bat of Valentino Pascucci, his PCL-leading 33rd, in the second inning to give Albuquerque a 1-0 lead.
That's exactly how the contest would remain until the bottom of the seventh, when Craig Brazell led off the frame with a double off of 'Topes reliever Roy Corcoran, who then thumped Justin Huber with a pitch to move the tying run into scoring position with no outs. Mitch Maier then laid down a perfect bunt moving both runners to third and second for Paul Phillips, who was intentionally walked to load the bases with just one out. Corcoran then struck out Craig Lubanski and coaxed a ground ball from Fernando Cortez that was misplayed by Scott Seabol at third, allowing the tying run to score and sending the game into extra innings at 1-1.
Albuquerque responded in the extra eighth when Pascucci led off the inning with a single and was removed for pinch-runner Reggie Abercrombie, who immediately swiped second base. The move paid off perfectly, as Brett Carroll roped an RBI single to center easily scoring Abercrombie and giving the Isotopes a 2-1 lead. After John Baker drew a one-out walk, Andino provided the knock-out punch by blasting a three-run homer to left to blow the game open at 5-1. Andino's blast was Albuquerque's 14th in three games, one shy of a PCL record.
Corcoran (4-4) stayed on in the eighth and got the win, while Omaha reliever Thad Markray (5-7) took the loss.
In the second game, the Isotopes will throw right-hander Wes Obermueller (2-1, 3.35) against O-Royals righty John Thomson (0-0, No ERA), who is making his first appearance for Omaha during his Major League rehab.
Following the series with Omaha, the Isotopes return home tomorrow for a five-game set against the Memphis Redbirds that includes fireworks, a Breast Cancer Awareness Weekend Pink Jersey Auction, and several giveaways. 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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