PCL1 Albuquerque Isotopes

Isotopes eliminated from post-season play

Published on August 31, 2011 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release


Roughly one week after the Albuquerque Isotopes (70-69) were eliminated from post-season play with a loss to the Memphis Redbirds (73-65), the ‘Topes returned the favor with an extra-inning thriller in which the ‘Topes prevailed 3-2 in 11 innings. With the defeat, combined with a win by the Omaha Storm Chasers, the Redbirds are officially eliminated from Pacific Coast League post-season play.

With Albuquerque clinging to 2-0 lead in the bottom the eighth, the Redbirds mounted one last rally ignited by a Freddie Bynum one-out double to left off of Isotopes reliever Travis Schlichting. After Bynum advanced to third on groundout, Mark Hamilton drew a two-out walk and Tyler Greene was hit by a pitch, loading the bases with two out. The Isotopes turned to closer Jon Link, who promptly surrendered a single to Matt Carpenter that plated Bynum and Hamilton, tying the contest at 2-2.

That's the way it would stay until the 11th frame, when the ‘Topes mounted a game-winning rally. Jerry Sands started the uprising by dumping a single to left before advancing to third on a single by Jamie Hoffmann, putting the go-ahead run 90 feet away. Tim Federowicz then lifted a sacrifice fly to left, plating Sands and giving Albuquerque a 3-2 edge.

Reliever Roy Corcoran would make the lead stand, delivering a one-two-three bottom of the 11th to seal the dramatic 3-2 ‘Topes triumph.

The late-inning dramatics all but obscured a stellar outing from starter Randy Keisler, who followed up seven scoreless frames in his last outing by piling up six zeroes against the Redbirds, allowing just five hits while walking one and striking out four. Going back to his start on August 21, Keisler has authored 14 consecutive scoreless innings, a season-high for an Isotopes pitcher.

Albuquerque grabbed its starter a lead in the second when Sands led off the frame with a base hit, stole second, and scored on the first Triple-A triple from Kyle Russell, giving the Isotopes a 1-0 lead.

The lead would be doubled in the fifth courtesy of a lead-off blast from Federowicz, augmenting the ‘Topes lead to 2-0 and setting up the dramatic ending.

Albuquerque will wrap up its season series with the Redbirds on Thursday behind lefty Alberto Bastardo (4-2, 5.5.9), who will make the start for the ‘Topes against Memphis left-hander Nick Additon (3-8, 4.86) in a 6:05 PM MT start from AutoZone Park.

The Isotopes' 2011 home regular season schedule is over, but that doesn't mean there won't be more baseball this year in the Duke City. The Triple-A Baseball National Championship Game comes to Albuquerque on Tuesday, September 20, pitting the winner of the Pacific Coast League playoffs against the playoff winner in the International League in a one-game, winner-take-all showdown. In addition to the game, there will also be a pre-game autograph session with Dodgers legends Steve Garvey, Ron Cey, and Bill Russell, a fleece blanket giveaway courtesy Sandia Resort, and a post-game fireworks extravaganza. Tickets 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.

Check out the Albuquerque Isotopes Statistics

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Pacific Coast League Stories from August 31, 2011


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