PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Isotopes Drop Suspended Game But Rebound For Dramatic 4-2 Win

Published on August 18, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


Down by a run in the bottom of the seventh, Robert Andino crushed a walk off three-run homer that propelled the Albuquerque Isotopes (58-71) to a dramatic 4-2 come-from-behind victory over the Memphis Redbirds (68-60) and force a split of two games played Sunday night at Isotopes Park. The combination of relievers Taylor Tankersley and Brandon Villafuerte pitching the final three innings of shutout relief allowed the Isotopes to remain within striking distance for their dramatic final at bat.

Trailing 2-1 with one out in the last frame of a scheduled seven-inning contest, Brett Hayes slapped a single to center in front of Chase Lambin, who laced a single through the hole at second that moved Hayes to third. Stepping up the plate with runners on the corners, Andino tattooed a 2-0 Jason Motte offering deep over the right field fence for a three-run walk-off home run that gave the Isotopes the remarkable 4-2 triumph.

It was a game of book-end scoring for Andino, who started the second game by lacing a triple in the first and immediately scoring when Tommy Murphy's slow roller to second was mishandled by D'Angelo Jimenez, giving Albuquerque a 1-0 edge.

The Redbirds answered in the third with a solo homer from shortstop Brendan Ryan to tie the game and plated a go-ahead run on a solo shot by David Freese in the fourth to grab a 2-1 lead.

That set up the ‘Topes bullpen, who came in and pitched brilliantly in relief of starter Rick VandenHurk, who was forced from the game in the after the second when he was hit in the hand trying to bunt. Pressed into emergency duty, Scott Nestor came on and allowed the two homers in two innings before handing off to Tankersley in the fifth, who dominated through two and two-thirds innings, allowing just three hits while striking out two. The last batter of the top of the seventh belonged to Villafuerte (6-3), who coaxed Shane Robinson into a fly-out to right to set up the heroics in the bottom of the inning and ultimately grab his sixth win of the season.

The completion of the suspended game was a different story for Albuquerque, who picked things up in the top of the fourth with a 6-1 lead only to watch the entire lead disappear in one inning. Memphis plated five runs in the bottom of the fourth thanks in part to two, two-run homers, the first by pitcher John Wasdin and the second off the bat of Ryan to tie the game at 6-6.

More long-balls ensued for Memphis, as Freese hammered a three-run dinger in the fifth before Josh Phelps added a three run blast in the sixth to send the ‘Birds to an emphatic 12-6 win.

The Isotopes look to continue their winning ways tomorrow against the Memphis Redbirds as ‘Topes right-hander Dallas Trahern (4-10, 6.48) will battle ‘Birds right Blake Hawksworth ( 3-7, 6.94) with first pitch set for 6:35 PM at Isotopes Park.

Now that school is back in session, the Isotopes have returned to their in-week schedule of games starting at 6:35 PM. Albuquerque's action-packed final homestand chugs along with lunch bag, electronics, and Isotope hat giveaways throughout the week before Fan Appreciation weekend closes out the season with back-to-back firework shows on Saturday, August 23 and Sunday, August 24. Tickets can be purchased at Isotopes Park or any Ticketmaster outlet, www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling Ticketmaster at 505-883-7800. For more information, visit www.albuquerquebaseball.com or call 505-924-2255.

Check out the Albuquerque Isotopes Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Pacific Coast League Stories from August 18, 2008


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