PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

'Birds Blast 'Topes, 16-7

Published on August 23, 2011 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


The Albuquerque Isotopes (65-65) fell victim to an early avalanche of runs as the Memphis Redbirds (68-61) plated 12 runs in the first three innings and cruised to a 16-7 win Monday evening at Isotopes Park.

It became clear quickly that this would not be the Isotopes' night, with the Redbirds racing out to a 4-0 lead in the very first frame. Tyler Greene got the rally started with a monstrous solo homer before Nick Stavinoha walked and Mark Hamilton roped a single to put two on for Matt Carpenter, who laced a double to right, plating Stavinoha to increase the visitor's lead to 2-0. Tony Cruz then capped the scoring with a two-out, two-run double that gave Memphis a 4-0 cushion before the Isotopes even had a chance to bat.

Greene was at the center of the next Redbirds rally in the second, as the shortstop crushed a two-run blast with one out in the second, giving him two homers in his first two at-bats and extending the ‚¬ËœBirds' lead to 6-0. Things quickly unraveled from there for Albuquerque, as Stavinoha followed with a double, advanced to third on a single by Hamilton, and scored on a passed ball by ‚¬ËœTopes catcher Tim Federowicz to make the score 7-0 Memphis. Cruz and Pete Kozma added an RBI single apiece to give the Redbirds a comfortable 9-0 lead after just two innings.

Albuquerque started chipping away in the bottom of the second, when Russ Mitchell led off with a walk and Jerry Sands followed with a double that sent Mitchell to third. Sands' knock was mishandled in left by Andrew Brown, however, allowing Mitchell to score the Isotopes' first run while Sands hustled into third. Jamie Hoffmann promptly picked him up, roping a single to center that easily scored Sands and trimmed the Memphis lead to 9-2.

The ‚¬ËœBirds retaliated with three runs in the third to open up a 12-2 advantage before the Isotopes got on the board again in the fourth. After another Sands double, Hoffmann blasted a two-run shot to left to close the gap to 12-4. Federowicz continued the rally with a walk in front of Damaso Espino, who laced a double to right. Stavinoha picked up the ball and fired it to the cut-off man at second Kozma, who couldn't hang on to it, allowing Federowicz to score and make the score 12-5 ‚¬ËœBirds.

A two-run double by Brown in the fifth and a two-run homer by Kozma in the seventh helped the Redbirds open up a 16-5 lead before the Isotopes staged another rally in the eighth. Mitchell led off the frame with a single for Sands, who crushed a two-run homer right-center bringing the final margin to 16-7 Redbirds. Sands, who went 3-for-4 with three runs, two doubles, a homer, and two RBI was a bright spot for an Albuquerque offense that hit into a season-high five double-plays on the night.

The lopsided loss did little to douse Isotopes fans' hunger for hot dogs, as the crowd of 6,675 devoured a total of 21,069 franks during the team's third and final 50-Cent Hot Dog Night.

The ‚¬ËœTopes finish off their series against Memphis with right-hander John Ely (7-5, 5.35) making the start for the Isotopes against ‚¬ËœBirds righty Brandon Dickson (7-9, 3.85) in a 6:35 PM start from Isotopes Park.

Albuquerque continues its homestand with another game against the Redbirds before the arch-rival Round Rock Express come to town for a five game set. This weekend, the homestand will wrap up with back-to-back Fan Appreciation fireworks nights that also include special Isotopes grab bags to the first 3,000 fans on both Saturday and Sunday! 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 23, 2011


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