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PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Express Erupt Late For 12-7 Win Over Isotopes

September 1, 2009 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


A six-run inning put the Albuquerque Isotopes (76-62) back in the game early and pushed them out of it late as the 'Topes overcame a six-run deficit in the second only to crumble when the Round Rock Express (59-79) matched the feat with a six-run frame in the eighth sending Albuquerque to a 12-7 defeat Tuesday night at Isotopes Park.

The Express tagged two 'Topes pitchers for six runs apiece en route to the win taking a 6-0 lead after the second off starter J.D. Durbin before striking for six more off Corey Wade in the eighth.

Durbin, despite allowing the six runs, remarkably had his best outing in his eighth start, fanning a season-high seven. Riding a five game losing streak, he exited after the sixth with a 6-6 tie in place after igniting an Albuquerque rally in the bottom of the second.

In a 6-0 hole in the bottom of the second, the Isotopes loaded the bases with no outs thanks to a walk to J.D. Closser, a Luis Maza single and an Express error that put Sergio Garcia aboard. Durbin lofted a first-pitch to the right-field corner to clear the bags for a bases-loaded triple, and bringing the 'Topes within 6-3. Blake DeWitt followed two batters later with a single, starting a string of four straight Isotopes hits. DeWitt plated Durbin with his base knock while Hector Luna followed with a hit of his own, his 13th hit in his last 14 home games. Mitch Jones rocked his second double in as many innings to send home the pair and knot the contest at 6-6.

The early lead by the Express was built with a solo shot from J.R. Towles in the first and a second inning in which they batted around and capitalized on three doubles.

Erasing the damage in one inning kicked Durbin into gear as he held the Express scoreless and with just one hit over the next four frames with four punch-outs and a double play. The 'Topes managed just two hits over the same duration, however, leaving any chance of a decision away from Durbin, who ended four frames with a strikeout.

After Wade retired the meat of the Round Rock order in the top of the seventh, Albuquerque manufactured the go-ahead run in the bottom of the frame to establish a 7-6 edge. Jones singled to open the frame and landed on third after an error and a fielder's choice moved him into scoring position. Maza then lifted a sacrifice fly to right to send in Jones.

Wade (1-1) appeared radically different in the top of the eighth, however, allowing six hits and six runs that catapulted the Express to another large lead at 12-7. Wade surrendered back-to-back singles to start the disastrous inning. A double from Reggie Abercrombie and a sacrifice fly from Brian Bogusevic instantly plated the two runners while two more consecutive singles cashed in two more before Tommy Manzella crushed a two-run homer to left to cap the catastrophe.

With a closer expert of their own in their arsenal, the Express unleashed Chad Paronto, who has 24 saves on the season, to shut down the eighth, ninth and any chance of another mammoth Albuquerque rally.

Albuquerque will take on the Express again tomorrow with right-hander Henry Bonilla (3-10, 6.37) making a spot-start for the 'Topes against Round Rock left-hander Polin Trinidad (5-5, 4.95) in a 6:35 PM MT start from The Lab.

The Isotopes' franchise-record 13-game homestand nears an end with just two more games with the Round Rock Express, Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros. Tomorrow, the team will be giving away Isotopes water bottles to the first 3,000 fans courtesy of Zanios Foods. PCL Playoff tickets are also on sale at the Isotopes Park Box Office, Ticketmaster.com and Ticketmaser outlets. 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



Pacific Coast League Stories from September 1, 2009


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