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PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Isotopes Earn Series Split with 9-6 Win at Tucson

May 27, 2005 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


Josh Willingham hammered his 14th home run of the season and the Albuquerque bullpen was superb with six strong innings as the Isotopes (26-22) took a 9-6 decision from the Tucson Sidewinders (26-22) Thursday night at Tucson Electric Park.. With the win, the ‘Topes earned a series split at Tucson and completed a 5-3 road trip, their most successful road swing of the year.

Willingham, who entered the game as the Pacific Coast League's leader in home runs, hit a two-run shot in the fifth inning to give Albuquerque a 6-3 lead and punctuate a rally that brought the ‘Topes back from an early 3-1 deficit. Isotopes starter Ariel Prieto allowed three runs in three innings in a spot start before four relievers combined to hold the Sidewinders to just three runs the rest of the way. Randy Messenger (3-1) pitched two scoreless innings to pick up the win for the ‘Topes wile Mark Freed (4-2) was charged with the loss for Tucson. J.B. Miadich worked the final 1.1 innings to earn his sixth save of the season.

Mike Colangelo got the ‘Topes on the board first with a sacrifice fly in the opening frame and Carlos Quentin rallied the Sidewinders with an RBI-single in the home half. Tucson took a 3-1 lead in the second inning on an RBI-single by Andy Green and a run-scoring double by Brian Barden.

Willingham got things started in the three-run fourth inning for the Isotopes with a one-out walk and scored on an RBI-double by Jason Wood, his second two-bagger of the night. Chris Ashby brought home Wood with a base hit up the middle that tied the game at 3 and Josh Wilson capped off the big inning with a run-scoring double to center field that gave Albuquerque a 4-3 lead; one they would not relinquish.

Willingham's round-tripper gave the ‘Topes a three-run lead before Tucson scored twice in the bottom of the inning – on a solo home run by Conor Jackson and an RBI-single by Corey Myers – to close the gap to 6-5. But Albuquerque added three more runs in the eighth inning – highlighted by a two-run single by Mark Little, who finished with three hits – to put the game out of reach.

Albuquerque will next return to Isotopes Park, site of the 2007 Triple-A All-Star Game, to open a four-game series against the Omaha Royals in a special Memorial Day weekend starting Friday night at 7:05, when the Zooperstars! will be on hand to kick off a huge promotional schedule. Right-handed pitcher Jeff Fulchino (3-3, 5.73) is slated to start for Albuquerque against Omaha righty Danny Tamayo (3-2, 4.38). The exciting weekend continues with post-game fireworks on both Saturday and Sunday nights. Tickets are available at the Isotopes Park Box Office, at local Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com, and Ticketmaster by phone at 883-7800.

Check out the Albuquerque Isotopes Statistics



Pacific Coast League Stories from May 27, 2005


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