PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Ely Cruz-es to 3-2 Walk-Off Win

Published on May 21, 2012 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


Starting pitcher John Ely tossed eight scoreless innings and Luis Cruz hit a walk-off double as the Albuquerque Isotopes (26-19) defeated the owners of the PCL's best record, Fresno Grizzlies (30-14) 3-2 Monday night at Isotopes Park. Dating back to last season, the 'Topes have now won four consecutive games against the Grizzlies.

Ely's was unflappable on the mound, cruising through eight innings and retiring 18 of the first 20 batters he faced. The righty allowed only four hits on the evening, sending 14 straight Fresno batters back to the bench from the second through the sixth inning in his longest outing of the season. Highlighting his performance, the hurler walked only one batter while fanning six, never allowing an extra-base hit to the PCL's best hitting team. As if his exploits on the mound weren't enough, Ely also roped his first career triple in the third inning.

With the game scoreless in the seventh, the Grizzlies threatened Ely's shutout with back-to-back singles from Francisco Peguero and Roger Kieschnick. However, the right-hander quickly recovered to strike out Todd Linden and coax a flyout to left field. Fresno, attempting to break the scoreless tie, tested the arm of Brian Cavazos-Galvez as Peguero sprinted home only to find Tim Federowicz waiting with the ball to tag out the runner, courtesy of a frozen rope from left field.

Fresno starter and former 'Tope Yusmeiro Petit also had a strong performance, limiting Albuquerque to a single run through 7.0 innings of work. The Isotopes began the seventh with Josh Fields drawing a leadoff walk and scoring one batter later on an RBI triple to right from Jeff Baisley, giving the 'Topes a 1-0 lead. The Isotopes struck again in the eighth when Cavazos-Galvez blasted a solo shot to left, his first career Triple-A dinger that extended Albuquerque's lead, 2-0.

'Topes reliever Wilfredo Ledezma (3-2) took the ball in the ninth, and with one on and one out, Peguero unloaded on an 0-1 pitch, crushing a two-run homer and tying the game 2-2. Ledezma then settled down to retire the final two outs of the inning and attempt to preserve the Isotopes win.

Not wanting to let another game slip away in the ninth, Albuquerque began their late rally with back-to-back singles from Fields and Baisley. Cruz then took the game into his hands, belting a one-out walk-off double to center, plating Fields and giving the Isotopes a 3-2 victory.

The 'Topes continue their series against Fresno tomorrow night at 6:35 PM. Isotopes lefty Michael Antonini (1-2, 5.30) gets the ball against Grizzlies southpaw Matt Yourkin (1-2, 6.26) in game two of the four-game set.

The Isotopes continue their 12-game homestand tomorrow with upcoming including an insulated cooler bag giveaway, tin lunch box giveaway and a special Military Appreciation Weekend with back-to-back fireworks shows. 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

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Pacific Coast League Stories from May 21, 2012


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