PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Isotopes Drop Series Finale to Storm Chasers, 12-10

April 16, 2012 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


For the third straight game, the Albuquerque Isotopes (4-8) saw a late lead disappear, as the Omaha Storm Chasers (9-3) used a five-run eighth to propel them to a 12-10 series-ending victory on a sunny Monday afternoon at Isotopes Park. The "˜Topes ended up splitting the 2012 home-opening series with the Chasers two games apiece, but had a lead in the sixth inning or later in all four contests.

Clinging to an 8-7 lead into the eighth inning, the "˜Topes saw their one-run advantage evaporate in an Omaha rally executed entirely with two outs. After a two-out double by Tony Abreu, Isotopes reliever Wil Ledezma surrendered a single to right by Clint Robinson that tied the game at 8-8. Ledezma then fired two wild pitches that allowed Robinson to coast into third and walked Kevin Kouzmanoff to put runners on the corners for David Lough, who laced a double to right, plating Robinson and giving Omaha a 9-8 lead. Max Ramirez then capped the big inning by blasting a three-run homer to right, his second homer of the game, to put the visitors on top 12-8.

Still, the "˜Topes would not go quietly, plating a run in the eighth on an RBI single to center by Luis Cruz and mounting a last-gasp rally in the ninth. Jerry Sands drew a one-out walk in front of Josh Fields, who roped a single to center that advanced Sands to third. Scott Van Slyke then slapped a single up the middle, plating Sands and bringing the "˜Topes to within 12-10. With runners on the corners and the winning run at the plate, Storm Chasers reliever Tommy Hottovy fanned the next two batters to preserve the Omaha victory.

Albuquerque spotted the Storm Chasers two runs on a couple of solo homers by Johnny Giavotella in the first and Lough in the second before erupting for four runs in the third. Matt Angle put the "˜Topes on the board with an RBI triple and was immediately cashed in by a triple from Elian Herrera to knot the game at 2-2. After Herrera scored on a wild pitch to give Albuquerque a 3-2 lead, Alex Castellanos hammered a solo homer to left center, his first career Triple-A dinger, to extend the "˜Topes' lead to 4-2.

Omaha responded with five in the fourth on a three-run homer by Ramirez and a two-run double by Giavotella to grab a 7-4 lead, but the "˜Topes answered with four of their own in the bottom the fourth. With runners on the corners and one down, Cruz lined a double to the gap in center, plating both runs and drawing Albuquerque to within 7-6. A groundball to second moved Cruz to third, from where he was cashed in by a perfectly placed drag bunt base hit in the direction of second base by Herrera. Castellanos then gave Albuquerque the lead with a triple to right, easily plating the speedy Herrera and putting the "˜Topes on top 8-7. Trent Oeltjen added a triple of his own in the fifth to tie a franchise record for most three-baggers in a game with four.

Albuquerque will now welcome the Iowa Cubs, Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, to the Duke City for the first of a four-game set beginning tomorrow. Right-hander Stephen Fife (0-2, 10.50) will take the mound for the Isotopes against Cubs lefty Chris Rusin (1-1, 4.38) in a 6:35 PM game from Isotopes Park.

The "˜Topes 2012 Opening Homestand rolls on with a four-game series with the Iowa Cubs that includes a team poster giveaway on Wednesday, April 18. 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.

Check out the Albuquerque Isotopes Statistics



Pacific Coast League Stories from April 16, 2012


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central