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PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Isotopes Drop Game Two Heartbreaker 8-6

September 11, 2009 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


Poised to even the series at one game apiece, the Albuquerque Isotopes (0-2) surrendered five two-out runs to the Memphis Redbirds (2-0) in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Redbirds rallied from a three-run deficit to snatch game two of the PCL American Conference Finals in a heartbreaker Thursday night at Isotopes Park. By falling behind two games to none, the 'Topes' playoff lives depend on Albuquerque winning three straight games at AutoZone Park beginning tomorrow.

Thirteen stranded base runners came back to haunt Albuquerque when out of nowhere Memphis overcame a 6-3 'Topes advantage with just one out left in for the visitors in the game. The Redbirds foreshadowed their epic ninth inning with a threatening eighth inning in which they loaded the bases off Josh Lindblom, who left them that way only to have the Redbirds replicate the situation in the ninth with no outs.

Trusty closer Scott Strickland (0-1) faltered for just his third blown save of the season, allowing the first three batters he faced to reach for a complicated and highly unusual situation. Strickland buckled down for two quick outs using a comebacker to force out the runner at home and a pop foul out to bring it within one out, but Mark Hamilton ripped his third hit of the night, a base hit to right to put the 'Birds within 6-5.

Slugger Allen Craig entered as a pinch-hitter and rocketed the first pitch to right for an instant 6-6 tie which also prompted Cory Wade to relieve Strickland. Wade didn't fare much better as Brandon Yarbrough delivered the go-ahead runs with a two-run double that capped the Memphis comeback.

'Birds reliever Pete Parise would make sure the sudden lead held, retiring the Isotopes in order in the bottom of the ninth to seal the improbably and gut-wrenching 8-6 win.

Albuquerque had broken through a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the sixth thanks to a Xavier Paul solo home run and a run-scoring single from Hector Luna to left-center. For the third time in the game the 'Topes would leave the bases loaded that inning. The stranded runners seemed harmless as Albuquerque tacked on one via a wild pitch in the seventh that sent home Jamie Hoffmann for a 6-3 edge.

Starter Giancarlo Alvarado combined with Brent Leach and Lindblom to hold Memphis to just one hit in each inning through the first seven frames, but Memphis unloaded for eight hits over the final two innings. Alvarado and Leach also received fly out double plays in back-to-back innings to hold off the 'Birds while Albuquerque took the lead.

The Isotopes established an initial 1-0 lead in the first inning on a Blake DeWitt RBI double, the first of three hits for the infielder on the night. Still, Albuquerque easily could have upped the advantage, leaving the bags full in the frame and grounding into two double plays with two runners aboard over the next two innings.

Memphis grabbed a 2-1 edge thanks to a sloppy Isotopes fourth as David Freese reached on an error and later scored via a wild pitch. Shane Robinson added a sacrifice fly to plate Hamilton. Albuquerque would respond, deadlocking the game at 2-2 when J.D. Closser scored on a passed ball in the fourth, but a Tyler Greene solo home run in the fifth put Memphis ahead again 3-2 before Albuquerque's short-lived comeback.

Albuquerque, now in a must-win situation, will look to right-hander Tim Corcoran (2-0, 4.71) to stop the losing streak against Redbirds lefty Evan MacLane (8-11, 4.02). Game three from Memphis will begin at 6:05 PM MT.

The 'Topes will continue their playoff run tomorrow in Memphis needing three wins in a row to stay alive in the PCL playoffs. 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 September 11, 2009


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