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PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Isotopes Down Redbirds 6-2

August 26, 2009 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


Powered by outstanding pitching that allowed just three hits, the Albuquerque Isotopes (73-59) subdued the Memphis Redbirds (69-62) 6-2 in the series-opener Wednesday night at Isotopes Park.

Starter Tim Corcoran shined in five innings of work, racking up eight strikeouts, a season-high in 10 starts this season between Albuquerque and Double-A Chattanooga to pick up his first victory in his third start with the 'Topes this year. The relief corps was just as good, holding the Redbirds scoreless over the final four frames.

The quartet of pitchers on the night fanned 12 with a strikeout in every inning but two. They also combined to retire the side in all but two frames and ended six innings with a punch-out. Between the four Isotopes hurlers, only six Redbirds reached base.

Corcoran set the tone early, facing the minimum through three, including striking out the side in the third. With a 1-0 lead intact, the right-hander hit a bump in the fourth inning, loading the bases on a lead-off double to Jon Jay, a hit batsman and a walk. The Redbirds cashed in one with a single from Craig Allen to knot the game at 1-1 and keep the bases full with one out. Corcoran limited the damage, however, allowing just one more across with a sacrifice fly from David Freese to put Memphis up 2-1.

Albuquerque quickly reclaimed the lead putting on its first three batters of the bottom of the fourth, all of whom would score. Mitch Jones drew a walk to open the frame and Dee Brown singled to set up J.D. Closser who delivered a single to right to plate Jones. After Jason Repko grounded out to score Brown, Closser scored from second when a sacrifice bunt from Corcoran was fired to second, but sailed into center field, giving Albuquerque the lead back 4-1.

The 'Topes earned their first run in the first frame as Chin-Lung Hu roped a double before scoring from second on a wild pitch that rolled to the backstop to vanish from the reaches of Brandon Yarbrough.

Corcoran struck out two more in the fifth before Francisco Felix took over to face the minimum through the sixth and seventh with Will Ohman retiring the side in the eighth.

Albuquerque received extra support with a solo home run from Hector Luna in the bottom of the fifth while Blake DeWitt crushed a solo shot of his own to lead off the seventh pushing the 'Topes to a 6-2 advantage.

After 'Topes pitching succeeded in sitting down 16 straight Redbirds, Scott Strickland walked Troy Glaus and surrendered a single to Allen, but preserved the win with a fly out to end the game and snap Albuquerque's uncharacteristic three-game skid.

Albuquerque will look to continue its winning ways tomorrow behind righty Dwayne Pollok (3-4, 5.55), who will take on Redbirds lefty Evan MacLane (5-11, 4.06) in a 6:30 PM MT start from The Lab.

The Isotopes' franchise-record 13-game homestand rolls on with the much-anticipated Manny Ramirez Bobblehead giveaway tomorrow to the first 3,000 fans. The Man-Ram bobble serves as the perfect segue to Fan Appreciation Weekend, featuring 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.albuquerquebaseball.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 26, 2009


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