Isotopes Enter All-Star Break on Winning Note
Published on July 10, 2005 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Albuquerque Isotopes News Release
Matt Padgett banged out four hits and starting pitcher Donovan Osborne threw six strong innings as the Albuquerque Isotopes (49-42) defeated the Memphis Redbirds (47-43), 6-3, to avoid a three-game series sweep. The âTopes were powered by a four-run fourth inning that was highlighted by a two-run double by Derek Wathan.
Osborne (1-0), who allowed just one hit through the first four frames, struck out five and left the game in the sixth with a 5-1 lead. In all, the left-hander was charged with three runs on six hits in his third start of the season for Albuquerque. Redbirds starter Bill Pulsipher (3-4) took the loss after allowing five runs - four earned - through six innings. Pacific Coast League All-Star Jim Crowell picked up his seventh save of the year with a perfect ninth inning.
Padgett went 4-for-4 at the plate with three singles and a triple. The Isotopes also benefited from an excellent relief appearance by John Riedling, who struck out four and allowed just one hit in two innings.
Both starting pitchers were dominant early on as the game was scoreless through the first three and a half innings.
The Isotopes offense finally broke through in the fourth when nine batters went to the plate and four came in to score. Joe Dillon got things started with a one-out single, stole second base, and moved to third on an infield single by Jason Wood. Padgett followed with an RBI-single to right field that got the âTopes on the board. After Wilson Delgado struck out, Wathan came through with the biggest hit of the inning, a two-run double to left field that made it 3-0 before Chris Ashby pushed across a final run with a bloop single to left field.
Memphis scored a run in the fifth on a flare by Pulsipher and pulled to within two runs, 5-3, in the seventh on an RBI-single by John Nelson and a run-scoring double by Bo Hart, but that's as close as they would get. Josh Wilson scored from third on a wild pitch in the fifth and Wilson Delgado added an RBI-single in the seventh to cap the scoring for the game.
The Isotopes will have the next three days off in anticipation of the Triple-A All-Star Game in Sacramento this Wednesday. Watch Isotopes closer Jim Crowell compete against the best minor leaguers in baseball as the Pacific Coast League all-stars take on the International League all-stars on ESPN 2. Albuquerque will resume play with an 11-game road trip starting in Nashville Thursday night at 6.
The âTopes will return home to begin an eight-game homestand on July 26, when the first 2,500 kids (ages 14 and under) will receive an Orbit Bobblehead prior to Albuquerque's 7:05 game against the Salt Lake Stingers. Tickets are available at the Isotopes Park Box Office, at local Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com, and Ticketmaster by phone at 883-7800.
Pacific Coast League Stories from July 10, 2005
- Hill's grand slam leads Tucson to 10-4 win over Tacoma - Tucson Sidewinders
- Express strand four in scoring position late, lose to Nashville - Round Rock Express
- All-star fan fest fireworks show set to electrify downtown area - Sacramento River Cats
- Isotopes Enter All-Star Break on Winning Note - Albuquerque Isotopes
- Royals errors help Redhawks salvage win in series finale - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Omaha Royals game notes - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Oklahoma game notes - Oklahoma City Comets
- Beavers split with Las Vegas - Portland Beavers
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.
