PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Isotopes' Comebacks Fall Short in 9-8 Loss to 'Birds

August 24, 2012 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


The Albuquerque Isotopes (76-58) put the tying run on third in the ninth but couldn't bring him home as the Memphis Redbirds (50-84) eked out a wild 9-8 win Friday night at AutoZone Park. Tim Federowicz and Josh Fields led the way for the Isotopes' offense with two hits apiece and five RBI between the two of them.

Trailing 9-8 in the top of the ninth, Scott Van Slyke gave the Isotopes hope by leading off the frame with a double into the corner in right field. After moving to third on a groundout to second by Trent Oeltjen, Federowicz drew a walk, putting runners on the corners with just one away. "˜Birds closer Eduardo Sanchez was up to the challenge, however, coaxing a fly-out from Matt Angle before getting Ozzie Martinez to groundout to second to end the game and send Memphis to a 9-8 win.

Albuquerque's comeback nearly came an inning earlier, but the Redbirds wiggled out a bases-loaded threat. Down 9-7, Martinez reached on a one-out infield hit and promptly scored all the way from first on a double by pinch-hitter Josh Bard, bringing the "˜Topes within 9-8. Tony Gwynn Jr. was then hit by a pitch and Elian Herrera drew a walk, loading the bases with just one out. Reliever Adam Reifer got Fields to ground into a double-play, however, ending the threat and preserving the one-run edge.

The "˜Topes jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead in the first, three tallies coming on a bases-loaded double by Federowicz, but Memphis responded with four its own in the bottom of the frame to tie the contest at 4-4.

Herrera ignited another Isotopes rally in the third, leading off the inning with single to center and immediately scoring on a two-run blast by Fields to help the visitors take a 6-4 lead, but again the Redbirds responded in the bottom of the inning. Steven Hill led off the frame with a double and, two batters later, scored on a two-run homer by Pete Kozma to again knot the game at 6-6.

The Isotopes took one last lead in the fourth when Martinez scored on a throwing error by the shortstop Kozma, but the "˜Birds seized the advantage right back with a two-run homer by Brock Peterson in the sixth to take an 8-7 lead. Memphis added some vital insurance in the seventh on an RBI single by Vance Albitz to go ahead 9-7.

Albuquerque will face the Redbirds again in game four of a five game set with righty Fernando Nieve (6-8, 6.35) getting the ball for the "˜Topes against Memphis lefty Tyler Lyons (3-8, 4.21) in a 5:05 PM start from Auto Zone Park.

After a nine-game road trip through Memphis and Oklahoma City, the Isotopes are back home on Friday, August 31 for the last four game series of the 2012 regular season. In addition to a pivotal series against the Omaha Storm Chasers, the series includes Fan Appreciation Weekend, featuring three straight fireworks extravaganzas. As if that weren't enough, the "˜Topes will also be giving away grab bags full of awesome Isotopes giveaways! 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.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 24, 2012


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