Hoover hands 'Topes walk-off win
Published on April 14, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release
Catcher Paul Hoover celebrated his 32nd birthday in style by roping a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth to give the Albuquerque Isotopes (4-6) a dramatic 7-6 victory over the Oklahoma RedHawks (9-3) on a sun-splashed Monday afternoon at Isotopes Park.
Knotted at 6-6 in the ninth, Jason Wood led off the frame with a key base hit and advanced to second on a walk to Dallas McPherson. That brought up John Gall, who laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt, just the second of his career, to move both runners into scoring position. Oklahoma then walked Tagg Bozied to load the bases for Hoover, who wrapped up the win for the Isotopes with a line shot into right field.
For the second straight game, Albuquerque grabbed an early lead only to see Oklahoma come back. After the âTopes jumped out to a 1-0 edge in the bottom of the first, Oklahoma fired right back when Jarrod Saltalamacchia hammered a triple deep into center and was immediately picked up by a Brandon Boggs double to tie the score at 1-1.
The Isotopes surged ahead again in the second inning by scoring a total of three runs, all with two outs. Tagg Bozied started the scoring with a solo home run to put Albuquerque ahead 2-1. Hoover continued the tear with a double and, after a walk to Chris Barnwell, Jai Miller followed suit with a two-run double of his own to extend the advantage to 4-1 Isotopes.
Oklahoma scratched across a run in the third to cut the lead in half and scored once more in the fifth to cut the advantage to 4-3 before the Isotopes erupted for two tallies in the bottom of the fifth. Brett Carroll started things off with a monstrous home run to center field, his second homerun in as many games, to give Albuquerque a 5-3 lead. Gall then drove in Wood with a single to left field to swell the âTopes' advantage to 6-3.
Like they have all series, the âHawks came back, scoring twice in the top of the sixth when Kevin Mench belted a solo home run and Casey Benjamin delivered a two-out solo blast of his own two batters later to bring Oklahoma back to within a run. The RedHawks completed the come back in the seventh on an RBI double by Boggs that knotted the game up at 6-6 and set up Hoover's heroics.
Albuquerque will hit the road tomorrow to open up a four game set with the Memphis Redbirds at AutoZone Park. Lefty Chris Seddon (0-0, 5.40) will make the start for Albuquerque against Redbirds right-hander Blake Hawksworth (0-1, 9.31) with first pitch slated for 6:05 PM Mountain time. After four in Memphis, the âTopes return to Albuquerque to face the Nashville Sounds on Saturday for the first of eight fireworks shows in the 2008 season. Tickets can be purchased at Isotopes Park or any Ticketmaster outlet, www.ticketmaster.com, or Ticketmaster by phone 505-883-7800. For more information on individual game tickets, season tickets, or mini-plans, visit www.albuquerquebaseball.com or call 505-924-2255.
Pacific Coast League Stories from April 14, 2008
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- Omaha shuts down 'Birds - Memphis Redbirds
- Z's lose on walkoff homer - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Cubs Edge Sounds In Series Finale, 5-4 In Twelve - Nashville Sounds
- Matsui to Join Express On the Road - Round Rock Express
- Sidewinders rally for much needed win - Tucson Sidewinders
- Hoover hands 'Topes walk-off win - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Oregon State, Portland Pilots set for Tuesday clash at PGE Park - Portland Beavers
- Two Former Omaha Players Share American League Honors - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Sidewinders Strike Against Fresno Bullpen In Win - Fresno Grizzlies
- Bees Strike Late To Edge Beavers In Series Finale - Portland Beavers
- Brown Named PCL Hitter Of The Week - Salt Lake Bees
- Omaha Royals Game Notes - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Zephyrs Begin Second Homestand Tomorrow - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Oklahoma RedHawks Game Notes - Oklahoma City Comets
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