PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Alvarado Awesome in Win

Published on July 16, 2009 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


Starter Giancarlo Alvarado continued the Albuquerque Isotopes (46-44) domination of the New Orleans Zephyrs (41-48), recording a season-best nine strikeouts over six innings en route to a 4-2 series opening victory Thursday night at Isotopes Park.

The right-hander evened his record to 7-7 after yielding just three hits and one run as Albuquerque improved to 5-0 against the Z's at home this season. Alvarado managed to whiff at least one Zephyr an inning with pairs of punch-outs coming in the second, third and fourth before settling for nine, upping his season strikeout total to 91, second best in the Pacific Coast League.

Alvarado's only true blemish came in the third when Dave Matranga led off the frame with a double and scooted to third on a wild pitch. Alejandro De Aza smacked a double of his own to score Matranga and put the Z's on the board 1-0. After the run, Alvarado allowed just one more base hit and retired the final nine batters he faced.

Albuquerque rewarded Alvarado's performance by quickly knotting the affair in the bottom of the fourth. The ‘Topes used back-to-back singles from Jason Repko and Juan Gonzalez to set up runners on the corners, allowing A.J. Ellis to cash in Repko with a sacrifice fly to right, creating a 1-1 deadlock.

The tie proved to be brief as Mitch Jones delivered a two-out, two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth to hand the ‘Topes a 3-1 advantage. Jones secured sole possession of the top spot in PCL dingers sending his 23nd of the season deep over the left-center fence. It was Jones' second long ball in as many games and scored Dee Brown who doubled to left-center right before the bomb.

Tony Abreu upped the advantage to 4-2 with an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth scoring Gonzalez who started the rally with a one-out single.

Albuquerque's bullpen picked up where Alvarado left off as Josh Lindblom and Travis Schlichting preserved the lead with an inning of scoreless relief. The pair, combined with Alvarado, faced the minimum over 14 batters from the fourth inning to two outs into the eighth. Scott Strickland surrendered a solo shot to former ‘Tope Michael Ryan with one out in the ninth, just the third off Strickland this season and first since May 27, before the commanding closer clinched the win and his 18th save. The quartet of pitchers fanned a total of 12 batters on the night.

The Isotopes will look for another win at expense of the Z's tomorrow when lefty Eric Stults (1-1, 5.00) takes the hill for Albuquerque against New Orleans righty-hander Hayden Penn (0-0, 4.50) First pitch is slated for 7:05 PM MT.

Albuquerque's big homestand rolls on Friday with the eagerly anticipated Orbit Bobblehead giveaway, before Isotopes fans will be treated to a very special appearance by the Famous Chicken. On Sunday, the team will be giving away Squeezeable Airplanes courtesy of GE Aviation. 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 July 16, 2009


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