PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Isotopes Drop Pitcher's Duel, 1-0

Published on August 27, 2007 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


Nic Ungs tossed eight shutout innings, but the Round Rock Express (57-78) used a 10th-inning walk-off home run by Tim Raines, Jr. to claim a slim 1-0 victory over the Albuquerque Isotopes (70-65) in the series opener Monday night at Dell Diamond.

The Express walked-off victorious in an old-fashioned pitcher's duel that included just a run and 10 total hits combined for both clubs. Knotted at 0-0, Raines Jr. led off the bottom of the first extra frame and deposited the second pitch he saw, a 1-0 offering by ‘Topes reliever Ross Wolf, deep over the wall in right field to end the ballgame.

Despite the loss, Albuquerque keeps a 1.5 game lead over Oklahoma atop the American Southern Division standings, with just seven games remaining.

The heart-breaking loss spoiled an excellent outing from ‘Topes starter Ungs. The right-hander was outstanding, scattering just three hits over eight strong frames though not figuring into the decision. Ungs struck out five and didn't issue a free pass in a 95-pitch, 63-strike effort. He allowed just four base runners on the night, and only one Express hitter advanced to scoring position.

Harvey Garcia relieved Ungs and worked a scoreless ninth before giving way to Wolf (4-3), who would face just one batter.

Round Rock starter Chad Reineke matched Ungs pitch-for-pitch on Monday night, but likewise did not figure into the decision. Reineke, too, lasted eight dominant innings, scattering four hits. Like Ungs, Reineke punched out five and did not walk a batter. The righty's day ended after 107 pitches. The win went to Round Rock relief pitcher Jose Rodriguez (4-4). Rodriguez worked two scoreless innings, allowing just a hit with three strikeouts.

The Express nearly ended the ballgame in the bottom of the ninth, attempting to capitalize on a ‘Topes miscue. Josh Anderson collected a lead-off single, and then advanced to second base with nobody out when a pickoff attempt by Garcia skipped past Albuquerque first baseman Valentino Pascucci. Anderson moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Brooks Conrad, putting the winning run 90 feet away with one out in the inning. From there, though, Garcia buckled down. He induced a harmless groundout to third, then after an intentional walk to Jason Lane, Garcia struck out Danny Klassen to quell the threat and send the game to extra innings.

The Isotopes went down in order in the 10th, and the Express would walk-off with the victory in the home half of the inning.

Albuquerque managed just five hits on the evening, with two coming off the bat of shortstop Robert Andino. Eric Reed, Brett Carroll and John Baker each collected a hit apiece for the Isotopes.

The series rolls on Tuesday night at The Dell Diamond. Albuquerque gives the baseball to left-hander Chris George (7-10, 5.47), while the Express counter with Brandon Backe (2-2, 4.26). First pitch is set for 6:05 PM MT.

The ‘Topes return home on August 31 for the final regular season homestand of the season, a four-game showdown with the Oklahoma RedHawks. A visit from Birdzerk!, a pair of Fan Appreciation Night fireworks shows and an appearance by Rockin Ray & The Amazing Skyy Dogs highlight the four-game set. Tickets can be purchased at Isotopes Park or any Ticketmaster outlet, www.ticketmaster.com, or Ticketmaster by phone 505-883-7800. For more information, visit www.albuquerquebaseball.com or call 505-924-2255.

Check out the Albuquerque Isotopes Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 27, 2007


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