PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Hoffmann Homers Not Enough In 11-9 Isotopes Loss

Published on August 30, 2009 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


In a game incredibly reminiscent of Thursday night's match-up, the Albuquerque Isotopes (74-61) and Memphis Redbirds (71-63) combined to belt eight home runs, but the 'Topes' five wouldn't cut it as Albuquerque fell 11-9 in front of the fourth-best crowd this season of 13,085 Saturday night at Isotopes Park.

Albuquerque reduces its magic number to clinch the PCL American Southern title to two games thanks to a RedHawks loss and could secure a postseason spot Sunday with a win and an Oklahoma City loss.

The Isotopes scored six runs over the final two frames to trim a sizable deficit to two runs, but couldn't pull out the last chance victory.

Jamie Hoffmann racked up five RBI and accounted for two of the five Isotopes long balls, which matched a season-high. The first came in the opening frame as Hoffmann walloped a two-out shot to left to plate Blake Dewitt, who walked, and Hector Luna, who was plunked by a pitch, to produce an immediate 3-0 Albuquerque advantage.

The first frame scoring would be all for the 'Topes over the next six innings, however, while Memphis pounded out three home runs of their own and took an 11-3 lead into the eighth. Luna broke the scoreless slump and ignited a 'Topes rally that would include four home runs over two innings by crushing a solo home run to open the eighth. After Mitch Jones doubled down the left-field line, Hoffmann crushed his third home run in the past two days after going homer-less since July 9 to cut the deficit to 11-6.

DeWitt got in on the long ball madness in the bottom of the ninth crushing a two-run homer to plate Luis Maza who singled to open the inning and pull the 'Topes within 11-8. Five of the infielder's seven home runs have come in the month of August. Jones then smacked a solo shot two batters later, but the power came too little, too late as Hoffmann ended the game with a strikeout, as Memphis held on for the 11-9 win.

In all, 18 of the 20 runs scored were driven in via the long ball. Memphis erased Albuquerque's 3-0 lead with a five-run third, capped by Matt Pagnozzi's grand slam off starter Eric Stults (5-4), who allowed nine hits in five innings and seven runs, three earned. Jon Jay doubled to open the inning, scoring on a single from Allen Craig. Another single from Troy Glaus and an error by Tony Abreu at second with two outs set up Pagnozzi's slam which made it 5-3 Memphis.

The Redbirds put up two tallies in the fourth, sixth and eighth while Jaime Garcia (2-0) settled down for his second Triple-A win of the season. Jay, who racked up four hits and four runs, drove in two with a home run while Allen also collected a two-run shot in the eighth that would account for the difference in the game.

Albuquerque will wrap up its five-game set with the Redbirds tomorrow behind right-hander Giancarlo Alvarado (11-10, 3.72) who will face Memphis righty Adam Ottovino (7-11, 4.36) in a 6:05 PM MT start from The Lab.

The Isotopes' franchise-record 13-game homestand continues with Fan Appreciation Sunday featuring Isotopes Grab Bags to the first 3,000 fans and the final fireworks show of the 2009 season! 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

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Pacific Coast League Stories from August 30, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central